Residents in Seoul, South Korea, expressed concern as temperatures unexpectedly dropped, reaching a record low of minus 12.2 degrees Celsius, with forecasts indicating further cold at minus 7 degrees Celsius. The temperature swing follows a recent high of 16.8 degrees Celsius on December 8, the second-highest December temperature since 1968.
Local residents shared their confusion and discomfort over the abrupt change in weather, highlighting the challenge of deciding on appropriate clothing. Just a few weeks ago, the weather was warm enough that wearing a jacket was not necessary.
Graduate student Lee Seo-hyun noted the drastic temperature shift, saying, “Just last week, I wore short-sleeved clothing, and because it was so warm, I either carried my coat or left it behind. But suddenly, within a day, it became extremely cold, and now I’m concerned about the Earth.”
Some residents expressed worries about the sudden change affecting vulnerable populations who may be unprepared, drawing parallels to a similar situation in the summer. The abrupt weather shifts raise concerns about people facing urgent circumstances without adequate time to prepare.
Office worker Lee Dong-Jun emphasized the potential impact on vulnerable individuals, saying, “In a situation where the vulnerable are unprepared and the weather suddenly changes, there might be many people facing urgent circumstances without enough time to prepare. Actually, it happened in the summer. So, it could happen again this winter as well, so I’m worried about that.”
The Korea Times reported that the cold weather conditions are expected to persist throughout the week, with morning lows ranging between -17 degrees and 2 degrees Celsius nationwide. The unusual weather patterns, characterized by rapid temperature fluctuations, have left residents grappling with the challenges of adapting to unexpected climate shifts.
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