Global forecasts call for unusual weather this winter with Korea to see a warmer and snowier climate due to the El Nino phenomenon.

The Korea Meteorological Administration says that El Nino, a weather disruption connected with rising sea temperatures near the equator, will continue until the first half of next year. It warned of potential damage from heavy snowfall as a consequence.

The strongest El Nino on record wreaked havoc on cities worldwide in 1997 with heavy snow and a bitter cold wave that destroyed hundreds of homes in South Korea.

This year's El Nino, the first in two years, is forecast to be weaker than the one in '97.