Freezing temperatures have gripped the nation. Mountainous regions in Gangwon Province saw the mercury drop to nearly minus 20 degrees Celsius on Friday morning while morning lows in central inland areas, including Seoul, plunged to around minus ten degrees Celsius.

Morning lows for Busan stood at minus five degrees Celsius, or the lowest figure yet to be recorded for the port city this winter.

A cold wave watch that was issued for Gangwon’s mountainous regions was expanded to include the northern parts of Gyeonggi Province and northwestern regions of Gangwon Province.

The nation is expected to see freezing temperatures through Tuesday, with afternoon highs standing around four to five degrees Celsius lower compared to previous years.

Snow is expected to fall from Friday afternoon in western coastal regions and in Seoul, the Jeolla Provinces and the western inland areas of South Gyeongsang Province from late Friday.