A cold snap has gripped the nation, prompting a cold wave watch for mountainous regions in Gangwon Province.

Morning lows dipped to minus six-point-four Celsius in Seoul and eight-point-seven in Daegwallyeong mountain pass in Gangwon Province.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast the mercury is expected to plunge to around minus eleven degrees in Seoul on Friday morning, making Friday the coldest day yet this winter.

Freezing temperatures are expected to continue until early next week.