Snow and rain dampen adieu to 2023

Heavy snow and rain are expected to blot out the last sunset of 2023 throughout most of the country on Sunday...

Heavy snowfall covers Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Heavy snow and rain are expected to blot out the last sunset of 2023 throughout most of the country on Sunday.

However, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) predicted more luck with the first sunrise of 2024.

“Most parts of the country should clear up, and you'll be able to see the sunrise through the clouds,” it said.

Rain and snow continued in most parts of the country on Sunday, including in Seoul, which saw 12 centimeters (4.7 inches) of snow on Saturday. It was the heaviest snowfall recorded in the city in December over the past 42 years.

A file photo dated Jan. 1, 2023, taken at the first sunrise of the year in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang [YONHAP]

Cities in Gangwon saw further precipitation on Sunday, with Sokcho getting at least 17 millimeters of rainfall as of noon Sunday and Jeongseon County of Gangwon at least 6.8 centimeters of snowfall as of noon Sunday, according to the KMA.

Mainland areas in Gangwon were expected to receive up to 8 centimeters of snow through Sunday, and its mountainous regions were expected to receive up to 15 centimeters of snow.

Heavy snow advisories have been issued in parts of Gangwon as of Saturday.

“In areas where it rains or snows, visibility will be drastically shortened,” said the KMA in its forecast on Sunday. “Snowfall is expected to accumulate on the roads and freeze to form icy road conditions in many places. Drivers passing through bridges, overpasses and tunnels are advised to slow down.

“Hikers should be cautious to avoid accidents,” it added.

Hiking trails, including several on Mount Seorak and Mount Taebaek in Gangwon, were closed over the weekend. A few hikers were rescued from trails on mountains in Seoul on Saturday after they went trekking without proper gear despite heavy snowfall. One man in his 60s was rescued from Mount Buram in Seoul on Saturday after he had slipped on a snowy trail. He was not wearing any crampons on his shoes, according to authorities.

Another man in his 30s was rescued from a trail in Mount Jugeum in Gyeonggi on Saturday. He was also reportedly not wearing any snow shoes or crampons.

Snow covers cars parked near an apartment complex in Chuncheon, Gangwon, on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Heavy snowfall in Seoul over the weekend resulted in roadside accidents.

Five vehicles crashed into each other on the five-lane road near the Dongnimmun Station in central Seoul on Saturday afternoon.

Additional accidents occurred on the expressways along the Han River and near Samseong Station and Seokchon Station.

No life-threatening injuries were reported in these accidents.

The last time it snowed as much in Seoul was Dec. 19, 1981, when 18.3 centimeters of snowfall fell on the capital.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Gangwon Provincial Government deployed thousands of workers and snowplows on the roads over the weekend.

There were at least 20 traffic accidents in Gangwon on Saturday. No life-threatening injuries were reported, though some of the injured required hospitalization.

Strong wind advisories were issued on Sunday in the western and eastern coastal regions, including in the Jeolla regions, North Gyeongsang, South Chungcheong, Incheon and Jeju Island.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]