South Korea’s capital, Seoul, was hit by a record-breaking snowstorm on Wednesday, bringing transportation to a standstill, causing power outages, and leading to at least two fatalities. The snowstorm, the heaviest in November since records began in 1907, dumped over 20 centimeters of snow in parts of the city, surpassing the previous November record set in 1972.
The intense snowfall, attributed to a significant temperature difference between the sea surface and cold air, affected other regions of South Korea as well, including the central, eastern, and southwestern parts of the country.
Youn Ki-han, director of Seoul’s Meteorology Forecast Division, explained that the unusually warm sea surface temperatures in recent weeks contributed to the intensity of the snowfall. Strong westerly winds carried the snow into the Seoul metropolitan area, leading to significant accumulation.
The snowstorm caused widespread disruption, with hundreds of flights canceled or delayed and ferry services to islands suspended. Icy roads led to severe traffic congestion in Seoul, and emergency crews responded to numerous incidents, including fallen trees and safety hazards.
Residents were urged to avoid driving and outdoor activities and to be cautious of falling debris. Thousands of households in Seoul experienced power outages due to the storm.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed relevant authorities to mobilize resources to minimize damage and inconvenience to the public. The snowstorm serves as a reminder of the potential impact of extreme weather events and the importance of preparedness and safety measures.
About the author
Ferry Services Resume After Six Weeks of Disruption, But Delays Hit Holyhead Reopening
Ferry services to and from Holyhead Port have resumed after being disrupted for over six weeks due to damage sustained during Storm Darragh in early December. The storm caused significant damage to terminals 3 and 5 at the Welsh port, with terminal 5 operating on a temporary basis upon reopening. The Irish Ferries ship WB Yeats arrived in Dublin Port from Holyhead this morning, marking the resumption of services. However, the initial restart was not without problems. Ger Hyland, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), reported a three-hour delay for the second ferry from Dublin to Holyhead due to an electrical fault at the port. Hyland expressed concern about the port's readiness, citing the large backlog of freight on the Welsh side. He emphasized the potential for "huge disaster" for the haulage sector, passengers, and Ireland's imports […]
Conor McGregor Named in Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault at NBA Finals
Conor McGregor, the mixed martial arts fighter and former UFC champion, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual assault at the Kaseya Center (formerly FTX Arena and American Airlines Arena) in Miami during the NBA Finals on June 9, 2023. The plaintiff alleges that McGregor assaulted her in a bathroom at the venue and is seeking unspecified damages from both McGregor and the Miami Heat Limited Partnership, the arena's ownership group. McGregor has denied the allegations through a spokesperson, dismissing them as a "shakedown." While the Miami Police Department initiated an investigation following a report filed on June 11, 2023, the Florida State Attorneyโs Office declined to file criminal charges in October 2023. This declination does not preclude the pursuit of a civil suit, which has a different standard of proof than criminal proceedings. The lawsuit also details […]
Hollyoaks ‘Bad Boy’ Paul Danan Dies at 46
Paul Danan, best known for his role as Sol Patrick in the British soap opera Hollyoaks, has died at the age of 46, his management has confirmed. Danan portrayed the "bad boy" character on the Channel 4 show from 1997 to 2001 and subsequently became a familiar face on reality television. Independent Creative Management shared a statement with the PA news agency, expressing their sadness at Danan's passing and describing him as "a beacon of light to so many." They requested privacy for his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. Beyond Hollyoaks, Danan participated in the reality dating show Celebrity Love Island in both 2005 and 2006. He also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Channel 5) in 2017, where he was an early evictee and expressed hope that the show would revive his career. He frequently […]
Bandits Kill Three Telecom Workers in Kebbi State
Four people were killed in a bandit attack at a telecommunications construction site near the Nigeria-Niger border, Kebbi State police confirmed Saturday. The victims included three Airtel Communications employees and one local resident. The attack occurred on January 10 at approximately 8:47 pm in Gumki village, Arewa Local Government Area, where the workers were installing a surveillance mast for the Nigeria Immigration Service. The attackers, identified as suspected members of the Lakurawa bandit group, targeted the construction site. Kebbi State Police Commissioner Bello Sani and Immigration Service Comptroller Muhammad Bashir Lawali responded immediately to the incident, overseeing the transfer of victims' bodies to Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital in Birnin Kebbi. In response to the attack, the Police Commissioner has strengthened security in the area by deploying additional tactical teams specifically tasked with targeting the Lakurawa bandits. He also organized a […]
‘The Right Man Won’t Be Scared’, Dancer Kaffy Speaks on Love After Divorce
Popular Nigerian dancer Kafayat Shafau, known professionally as Kaffy, has addressed speculation about dating following her 2022 separation from Joseph Ameh. The dancer and author dismissed the notion that successful women intimidate potential partners, stating confidently that the right man will approach her without fear. "A man who knows what he wants goes for it," Kaffy explained in an interview with Saturday Beats. While acknowledging that women can be successful independently, she emphasized that wanting companionship is natural, though not desperate. "Any man who has me is blessed," she added, reflecting her strong sense of self-worth. Speaking about her separation from Ameh, Kaffy maintained a remarkably mature perspective. Rather than assigning blame, she described it simply as two people no longer being in agreement. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental well-being, especially as a parent, over staying in an […]
Road Rage Incident in Temiskaming Shores, Canada
A 37-year-old suspect from Englehart, Ontario, has been charged in connection with a road rage incident that took place in Temiskaming Shores. The alarming event, captured on the victimโs dash cam, shows a white Toyota Rav 4 intentionally chasing and eventually ramming into the victimโs vehicle. The incident occurred on December 30th at around 1 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 11 and Highway 65 in Temiskaming Shores. In a news release on Friday, the Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated: "The Temiskaming Ontario Provincial Police is seeking assistance from the public in locating anyone having video/dash camera footage in relation to collisions and erratic driving" linked to this incident. Following the collision, OPP officers made several attempts to stop the suspect's vehicle, ultimately deploying a spike belt. This action successfully halted the vehicle, and the driver was arrested without […]
Related
Devastating January Wildfires Claim 30th Victim as LA Communities Struggle to Rebuild
Death toll in Los Angeles wildfires reaches 30 with newly confirmed fatality in Altadena A new death connected to January's wildfires has been confirmed, bringing the total death toll to 30, according to the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner's office on Wednesday. The latest fatality was linked to the Eaton Fire after remains were discovered on the 900 block of Boston Street in Altadena. The medical examiner's office referred to the victim as "unidentified doe No. 203." With this additional death, the Eaton Fire has now claimed 18 lives, while the Palisades Fire resulted in 12 fatalities. The wildfires devastated the region, forcing thousands of residents from their homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. Together, the fires consumed more than 37,000 acres. Both communities continue their rebuilding efforts following the destruction. Investigators are still working to determine […]
Freshwater Crisis Threatens World’s Lithium Supply as Demand Set to Skyrocket 40x
Freshwater, critical for lithium mining, is becoming increasingly scarce in the "Lithium Triangle," a resource-rich region in the Andean Plateau spanning parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile that contains over half of global lithium reserves. A recent study published in Communications Earth and Environment revealed that freshwater availability for lithium extraction in the region is approximately 10 times lower than previously estimated. With global lithium demand projected to increase 40-fold by 2040, the limited annual rainfall supplying freshwater to the arid Lithium Triangle may not be sufficient. The study's authors advise the lithium industry to reduce freshwater consumption to prevent disruption to mining operations, which currently use up to 500,000 gallons of water to extract one ton of lithium. In the Triangle, freshwater supports agricultural activities for Indigenous communities and sustains wetlands housing unique wildlife, including short-tailed chinchillas, wild camelids, […]
Devastating Wildfires Ravage South Korea: 26 Dead, Thousands Evacuated
South Korea is battling its most severe wildfire crisis in recent history, with catastrophic blazes sweeping through the southeastern regions since last Friday. The ongoing emergency has resulted in 26 fatalities, forced over 37,000 people to evacuate, and destroyed more than 300 structures across multiple provinces. The wildfires have consumed approximately 88,980 acres of land, making it the worst recorded wildfire incident in the country's history. Authorities have deployed over 9,000 personnel and approximately 120 helicopters to combat the rapidly spreading flames, but strong winds continue to complicate firefighting efforts. Tragic losses include a helicopter pilot who crashed during firefighting operations and four firefighters trapped by fast-moving flames. Most civilian casualties are elderly individuals in their 60s and 70s. Investigators suspect human error as a potential cause of several fires, including incidents sparked by tomb maintenance and welding activities. The […]
Category 5 Cyclone Approaches Australian Coast with Record-Breaking Winds
According to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, Cyclone Zelia, a Category 5 storm system, is approaching Northern Australia's Pilbara Coast with maximum wind speeds of 130 mph and potential gusts up to 180 mph. The cyclone, located 90 miles north of Port Hedland as of Thursday, is moving slowly at less than 3 mph. Meteorologists report that Zelia is intensifying, characterized by strong convection surrounding a warm eye. Local authorities have implemented several precautionary measures. The Western Australia Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a "cyclone watch and act" warning, established two evacuation centers, and closed multiple highways. More than a dozen schools in Western Australia's northern region have suspended operations. The storm is expected to make landfall between De Grey and Karratha, potentially Friday night, though this could be delayed until Saturday due to weather conditions. The Bureau […]
Historic Winter Storm System Brings Chaos from Sea to Shining Sea!
Widespread winter weather alerts and warnings affect over 100 million Americans today as multiple storm systems create challenging conditions across the United States. The National Weather Service has issued warnings spanning from Colorado to Maine, with significant snowfall reaching 9 inches in West Virginia and disrupting scheduled activities in Washington, D.C. Weather forecasts indicate a series of three storm systems will maintain winter conditions over affected regions. Maryland could receive up to 6 inches of snow, while New York City expects 1-2 inches. The South faces different challenges, with heavy rainfall from east Texas to southern Kentucky putting 15 million people under flood alerts. Additionally, 10 million residents from Birmingham, Alabama to Baton Rouge, Louisiana face potential tornado risks. Air travel disruptions are already evident, with approximately 200 delays and 70 cancellations reported on the East Coast since early morning. […]
Arctic Blast Eases as Weekend Brings Promise of Milder Weather
Ireland is experiencing severe cold conditions, with temperatures plummeting to -6.6 degrees in Mount Dillon, Roscommon and -6.3 degrees in Cavan early Friday morning. While the orange warning for extreme cold has been lifted, Met รireann maintains a yellow warning for the entire country until noon Friday, cautioning about widespread frost, ice, lying snow, and patches of freezing fog. The weather service warns of hazardous travel conditions, with risks both on roads and footpaths, along with potential travel disruptions and poor visibility. However, there are signs that the worst of the cold snap may be passing. https://twitter.com/MetEireann/status/1877334108268810610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1877334108268810610%7Ctwgr%5E5e2098fb15749557e8732f1f813e14ce799f876b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.breakingnews.ie%2Fireland%2Ftemperatures-reach-close-to-7-degrees-overnight-with-yellow-warning-still-place-1716120.html Friday will remain very cold across most of Ireland, with widespread frost and dangerous black ice. A system of cloud and rain moving northeast from the southwest is expected to bring sleet and snow on high ground, though Ulster and north Leinster should […]
Be the first to leave a comment