Mount Seorak welcomes first fall foliage

Mount Seorak in Gangwon Province reported its first fall foliage on Monday, according to the Gangwon Regional Meteorological Administration. The mountain, standing at 1,708 meters, saw the seasonal color change four days earlier than the previous year and aligned with the long-term average date. Meteorological authorities define the onset of fall foliage as when approximately 20% of a mountain's deciduous leaves transform color from the summit downwards.

Experts predict Mount Seorak's foliage will reach its peak between mid- and late-October, with color appearing when roughly 80% of the foliage has changed. Last year, foliage peaked on October 24, compared to the historical average of October 17. The shift in color is anticipated to speed up as cold air descends from the north later this week, causing morning lows nationwide to plummet into single digits starting Thursday.

Authorities forecast morning temperatures ranging from 6 to 17 degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 20 to 24 degrees Celsius from Thursday through Saturday. Visitors can monitor current foliage conditions for 21 major mountains.