Cold spell hits nation for fifth consecutive day

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- The severe cold weather prevailed in most parts of the country Friday for the fifth consecutive day, with the weather agency issuing a dry weather advisory for fires in the eastern region.

The very cold, high pressure system from northern China has caused temperatures to drop sharply on the Korean Peninsula since early this week, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

The current cold spell is expected to culminate on Sunday and Monday, when the mercury is expected to drop below minus 15 degrees Celsius in Seoul, as well as the northern Gyeonggi and eastern Gangwon provinces.

According to the calendar's seasonal divisions of the year, this time of the year is usually the coldest period with Koreans calling it "Daehan," meaning the intense cold that usually comes around Jan. 21.

As of 5 a.m. Friday, temperatures dropped to minus 10.8 degrees Celsius in Seoul; minus 8.5 degrees in Incheon; minus 9.3 degrees in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province; minus 14.2 degrees in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province; and minus 4.6 degrees in Gangneung, Gangwon Province.

The mercury also dropped below zero in the central and southern parts of the country, with minus 10 degrees Celsius in Daejeon and Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province; minus 8.8 degrees in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province; minus 6 degrees in Gwangju; minus 4.9 degrees in Daegu; and minus 2.3 degrees in Busan.

The KMA also said that the fire advisory has been issued in some part of the nation as the dry weather will continue in the eastern part of Gangwon Province and some parts of Gyeongsang Province.
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