{
  "id": 18889787,
  "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-18889787",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T07:52:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "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 of the season on Sunday, arriving nearly a month ahead of the previous year's date. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported light snowfall at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno District, occurring 26 days earlier and 12 days before the seasonal average. This marked the sixth-earliest first snowfall since records began in 1973, with the earliest ever recorded on Oct. 23, 1981. The official first snowfall in Seoul is determined when an observer at the central weather station visually confirms falling snow, not necessarily indicating widespread coverage or ground accumulation. Despite the early snow, the KMA anticipates a warmer, wetter winter than usual due to a strengthening El Niño expected to persist through the season. El Niño is characterized by warmer ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific near the equator, and its official designation occurs when these temperatures consistently rise above normal levels.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}