Snow blankets Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on November 27, 2024. CNN
Seoul witnessed an extraordinary winter spectacle this week as the city experienced its heaviest November snowfall since records began in 1907. The South Korean capital recorded an impressive 16.1 centimeters (6.3 inches) of snow on Wednesday, surpassing the previous record of 9.5 centimeters (3.7 inches) set in 1966, as reported by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Snow continued to fall heavily throughout Wednesday and into Thursday, with some areas outside the city seeing even greater accumulations. For instance, Yongin, a city south of Seoul, reported a staggering 47.5 centimeters (18.7 inches) of snow by Thursday morning, according to the KMA.
Photographs captured the breathtaking transformation, with snow-covered trees, streets, and iconic landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace blanketed in white. Residents embraced the winter magic, bundling up in thick coats to build snowmen, toss snowballs, and revel in the wintry scenes.
Visitors in traditional hanbok stroll through Gyeongbokgung Palace during heavy snowfall in Seoul. Getty Images
Even the country’s first twin panda cubs, born in July to nationwide excitement, enjoyed the snowy weather for the first time. Footage showed the cubs sliding gleefully down a snow-covered field at the Everland theme park and zoo. Their keepers had kept them indoors during last winter, making this their debut experience in the snow.
However, the record-breaking snowfall also caused widespread disruptions across the region. By Thursday morning, over 60 households in Seoul reported power outages, with similar problems affecting areas near the capital, such as Gwangju. While most cases were resolved promptly, the heavy snow paralyzed transportation services.
Commercial buildings stand amidst Seoul's first snowfall of the season. Getty Images
More than 150 flights nationwide were canceled or delayed between Tuesday and Thursday, while over 100 ferry services were restricted. Several roads around Seoul were closed due to hazardous conditions, forcing authorities to deploy extra subway trains to accommodate the surge in public transit demand. In Wonju, southeast of Seoul, a highway multi-car pileup highlighted the challenges posed by the snowstorm, with emergency crews working to clear damaged vehicles and ensure safety.
A vehicle emerges from a tunnel as snow falls in Gimpo. Getty Images
President Yoon Suk Yeol took swift action, directing officials to manage the situation thoroughly and minimize disruption to residents. He emphasized the need for adequate public transportation during the rush hour and urged authorities to remain vigilant.
As of Thursday, snowfall alerts remained in effect for parts of southern Gyeonggi province, though conditions in Seoul had started to improve, with lighter snow and the lifting of the city’s weather alerts.
Pedestrians walk across an intersection in Seoul's business district as snow falls. Getty Images
This week’s extraordinary snowfall brought both awe and challenges to Seoul, offering moments of joy amidst significant disruptions. From picturesque landscapes to playful panda cubs, the snowstorm created memories for many, even as officials worked to restore normalcy across the region.
