(LEAD) Heavy snow expected across S. Korea through Monday morning

▲ This Jan. 21, 2026, file photo shows cars on a road in the southwestern city of Gwangju. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) heavy snow-forecast

(LEAD) Heavy snow expected across S. Korea through Monday morning

(ATTN: ADDS details in last para)

SEOUL, Feb. 1 (Yonhap) -- Heavy snow was expected to blanket the country beginning later Sunday, with more than 5 centimeters of snow forecast to fall per hour in some areas, the weather agency said.

Snow was expected to fall in the Seoul metropolitan area and parts of Gangwon Province from Sunday night and expand to most of the country by early Monday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Up to 10 cm of snow was forecast to pile up in the greater Seoul area and parts of Gangwon Province, followed by up to 8 cm of snow in South and North Chungcheong provinces, and 7 cm in North Jeolla Province, the KMA said.

The weather agency said morning lows may dip to minus 10 C on Monday, advising commuters to be cautious of slippery roads.

To help ease inconvenience during morning commuting hours, the state rail operator said it plans to increase the number of trains operating on five lines across the greater Seoul area, including Line No. 1, the Suin-Bundang Line and the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.

The Seoul city government also plans to run more buses and trains through 9:30 a.m. to cater to people using public transportation for morning commutes. It advised people to check traffic information updates as some buses may make detours due to poor road conditions.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved