The strong cold snap that has gripped Korea for over a week is forecast to continue until the year-end, with daytime high temperatures in inland regions dipping below zero, the weather agency said Sunday. 

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul will continue to have freezing cold weather for the next 10 days -- with temperatures exceeding last years’ average -- due to the influence of a continental anticyclone stretching over the peninsula. 

On Sunday, Seoul saw a morning low of minus 9.7 degrees Celsius, with the daytime high rising to just minus 2 degrees. Its morning low was 8 degrees below the 30-year average. 

The morning low in Chuncheon in the mountainous Gangwon Province recorded minus 14.7 degrees, with Gangneung and Daegu hitting 7.6 degrees and 6.4 degrees below zero, respectively. 

The KMA‘s mid-term forecast has below-average temperatures for Seoul for the next 10 days, said an official from the KMA.

“What’s unique about this winter’s cold spell is that we do not see the cycle of three cold days and four warm days, a traditional winter weather pattern in the peninsula,” the official said. 

Last week, the mercury had dipped to as low as minus 12 degrees in Seoul and Tuesday was recorded as the coldest day of the season for the city. 

Temperatures in the capital and many other areas stayed well below zero throughout the week. 

On Monday, a brief respite is forecast, with the morning low rising slightly to minus 4 degrees. 

As of Sunday, a cold wave watch was issued to regions like Gyeonggi, North Chungcheong, Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces. 

A heavy snowfall watch was advised in Jeju Island and the cities in the west coastal region, with Halla Mountain recording 22 centimeters of snow on Sunday morning. Cities in North Jeolla Province also had 10 centimeter-thick snow overnight. By Monday, a snowfall of up to eight centimeters is expected in mountain areas of Jeju Island, the KMA said. 

A drought warning is in force for Seoul, inland areas of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Daegu, South Jeolla provinces, the weather forecaster said, and advised citizens to stay indoors and watch out for fire incidents. 

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)