Dangerous travel conditions are expected to unfold across the Korean Peninsula and parts of Japan as a strengthening storm brings rain and heavy snow as it races across the region.
A storm that moved through northeastern China over the weekend will remain in place, keeping areas of rain and snow showers into early Monday. Most areas received a slushy 1-2 inches (3-5 cm) of snow, including Beijing, which set a record-high winter temperature just a few days ago.The storm gained intensity as it neared the Korean Peninsula, pulling in more moisture from the Yellow Sea. Areas of heavy precipitation spread over the Korean Peninsula on Monday and are expected to continue into Monday night and early Tuesday morning.Precipitation across southern areas of South Korea will fall as just rain, but enough cold air will be in place on the northern side of the storm to cause rain to change over to snow in northern South Korea.
Along the border and across North Korea, mainly snow is expected through Monday night. In these areas, snowfall can become heavy enough to greatly reduce visibility and lead to staggering snowfall totals.Snow warnings were issued by regional weather centers as snowfall became heavier across portions of South Korea on Monday afternoon, reported a local news source.
As of Monday evening, local time, snowfall accumulations have reached 19.3 inches (49.1 cm) in Misiryeong, 18.1 inches (45.9 cm) in Jinburyeong, 13.2 inches (33.6 cm) in Seorak-dong and 7.2 inches (18.2 cm) in Yangyang.Heavier snow caught some motorists off guard as several accidents were reported throughout the afternoon with travel disruptions along the Seoul Yangyang Expressway, the Donghae Expressway and Misiryeong East-West Passing Road.An official from the Gangwon Province stated that hundreds of vehicles were stuck in heavy snow on a section of the Donghae Expressway, adding that citizens should refrain from using the highways so that snow could be removed
reference_accuweather