{
  "id": 18886314,
  "title": "1st snow arrives early in Seoul, but warmer, wetter winter expected",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/1st-snow-arrives-early-in-seoul-but-warmer-wetter-winter-expected",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T07:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/society/20261108/1st-snow-arrives-early-in-seoul-but-warmer-wetter-winter-expected"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul experienced its earliest snowfall this season on Sunday, falling nearly a month ahead of last year and surpassing its average date by 12 days. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) confirmed the light snowfall, which occurred in the Jongno District at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory. This makes it the sixth-earliest first snowfall since records began in 1973, with the earliest recorded on Oct. 23, 1981.\n\nThe snowfall, though light, marked the first snow in Seoul this season, with the KMA determining the official snowfall when an observer visually confirms snow is falling. However, it's important to note that this does not necessarily indicate snowfall across the entirety of the city or accumulation on the ground.\n\nDespite the early snowfall, the KMA predicts a warmer and wetter winter than usual. This expectation is tied to the anticipated continuation of a strengthening El Niño, characterized by elevated ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific near the equator.",
  "summary": "Seoul recorded its first snowfall of the season Sunday, nearly a month earlier than last year, with light flurries observed in the capital. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the first snow was observed at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno District. The snowfall came 26 days earlier than last year and 12 days ahead of the seasonal average. It marked the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul recorded earliest snowfall this season on Sunday",
    "Snowfall occurred 12 days earlier than average",
    "KMA predicts warmer, wetter winter due to El Niño"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The early arrival of snow in Seoul serves as a seasonal outlier that does not disrupt the broader trend of a warmer and wetter winter driven by El Niño.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}