On the 18th, when the heavy snow warning is in effect, citizens cross the pedestrian crossing with umbrellas at the Sejong-daero intersection in Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

On the 14th of last week, Seoul experienced a springlike weather with daytime highs exceeding 20 degrees Celsius, but it returned to winter just four days later. As heavy snow fell in mid-March, citizens took out their padded jackets that had been stored deep in their closets and left home 30 minutes earlier than usual, worried about commuting chaos. Building managers also took out snow removal equipment and began clearing the piled snow.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 18th, 11.9 cm of snow accumulated in northern Seoul from 8 p.m. the previous day to 9 a.m. that day. Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province received 13.8 cm, and Janghowon in Icheon recorded 13.9 cm. A heavy snow warning has been in effect in the Seoul area since the previous day, marking the latest issuance since statistics began being compiled in 1999.

Around 8 a.m., An Ye-rin (31), who was commuting to her workplace in Gwanghwamun, Jongno District, said, "I am surprised by such a heavy snowfall in mid-March," adding, "I tried to leave early, but I am slightly late now. My shoes are all wet."

On the morning of the 18th, when the heavy snow warning is issued, snow is falling on Sejong-daero in Jung-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of News1

Kim In-guk (48), who was delivering food since morning, said, "I was surprised by the snow. It is very dangerous to drive (a motorcycle)." Lee Mo (67), who was spreading calcium chloride for snow removal in Gwanghwamun Square, said, "It's just part of the job," as he walked away.

At around 8 a.m. near Hongdae Station in Mapo District, commuters were dressed in padded jackets and scarves. Some people appeared to lean on each other’s arms while walking down the street, likely to avoid slipping on the icy ground.

Jang Ho-pil (50) noted, "Perhaps because of the snow, there were 30 to 40% more people than usual in the subway train," adding, "I took out my padded jacket from my closet because it snows in March." Lee Mo (29) said, "It snowed a lot since the morning, so I left home 30 minutes earlier than usual, but it was crowded in the subway, which was tough," adding, "I thought spring had come, yet it’s snowing."

On the 18th, Mr. Lee (68) is sprinkling calcium chloride at Gwanghwamun Square. /Courtesy of reporter Kim Kwan-rae

Yang Mo (34), who was commuting from Toegyewon in Namyangju City, met near Jamsil Station in Songpa District. Yang said, "The main road to Seoul had almost melted, but the small streets in my neighborhood were slippery, and I nearly fell." Park Mo (52) remarked, "I think this is the first time I've seen so much snow in March," adding, "Next week, the daytime high is expected to rise to nearly 20 degrees; the weather is truly unpredictable."

Kim Joo-chan (41), who was met near Gangnam Station in Gangnam District, said, "I woke up early knowing it would snow and scraped the snow off my car, but it got suddenly colder, and the engine wouldn’t start," adding, "I had no choice but to take the bus to work."

Commuters in Gyeonggi Province, where public transportation is relatively inconvenient, rushed through their mornings. Eom Mo (33), who commutes from Osan to Bundang in Seongnam, said, "It usually takes about an hour by car on the Gyeongbu Expressway, but when I woke up and saw outside, I thought driving would be difficult, so I took the subway," adding, "I left home 1 hour and 30 minutes earlier than usual."

On the morning of the 18th, workers are clearing snow piled on the sidewalk near Hongdae Entrance Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of reporter Kim Jung-eun

Due to the heavy snowfall in the morning, vehicles operated slowly. According to the Seoul Traffic Information Center (TOPIS), as of 7 a.m. that day, the overall traffic speed in the city center was 17.9 km/h, while the average speed across Seoul was 21.4 km/h.

Steep roads were closed due to snow but allowed vehicle movement again after snow removal was completed. The road from the Board of Audit to Waryong Park was closed from 4:05 a.m. to 6 a.m. The Bukak Skyway, Solsaem Tunnel, and the road from Jeongneung IC to Samyang Intersection were closed around 5 a.m. and reopened before 7 a.m. The uphill section from Sinchon Intersection to Seogang University main gate was closed from 8:18 a.m. to 8:33 a.m.

Accidents also occurred due to vehicles slipping on the snowy roads. At around 6:18 a.m., a collision occurred between vehicles at the entrance of Jeongneung Tunnel in the internal circular road toward Seongsan. At around 6:36 a.m., a minivan skidded on the snowy road and crashed into the central guardrail while heading northbound from the southern end of Seongsu Bridge. There were no injuries in either accident.