Biggest November snowstorm in half century hits Seoul and grounds flights

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The biggest November snowstorm to hit South Korea’s capital in more than a half century blanketed the capital on Wednesday, grounding hundreds of flights, disrupting commuter traffic and leaving at least two dead.

South Korea’s weather agency said 20 to 26 centimeters (7.8 to 10 inches) of snow fell in northern areas of Seoul and nearby areas. The agency said it was the heaviest snowstorm Seoul has experienced in November in 52 years. A storm on Nov. 28, 1972, dumped 12 centimeters (4.7 inches).

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said one person died and four others were injured in a five-vehicle accident in the eastern town of Hongcheon.

In the town of Yangju, a tent-type garage collapsed and killed a person who was removing snow, according to South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The snow caused temporary power outages at about 230 homes in the city of Gwangju, near Seoul, according to the Gyeonggi provincial government.

The storm blanketed much of the country, with the central, eastern and southwestern regions recording about 10 to 28 centimeters (3.9 to 11 inches) of cover.

At least 317 flights were canceled or delayed at airports nationwide, while authorities ordered around 90 ferries to remain at port. They also shut down hundreds of hiking trails.

Icy road conditions slowed down the morning commute in Seoul and led to massive crowds at subways, causing delays. Emergency workers across the country responded to fallen trees, road signs and other safety risks.

Officials at the Safety Ministry said they couldn't confirm any school closures as of Wednesday afternoon.

Visitors dressed in traditional hanbok garb were busy taking photographs at Seoul’s snow-covered medieval palaces while snowmen popped up in playgrounds and schoolyards across the country.

The weather agency said snow will continue in most parts of the country until noon Thursday.

Associated Press writer Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, contributed to this report.

A worker uses a tractor to remove the snow at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A man walks past at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A visitor holds her smartphone outside of the snow-covered National Palace Museum in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Visitors Cha, left, and Chie, center, from the Philippines, play with snow as they take selfies at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Chan Yian from Taiwan holds her smartphone in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A pedestrian stops to take photo the snow-covered Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Chan Yian from Taiwan holds her smartphone in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

A volunteer man wearing a costume of a Salvation Army pot stands near a snow-covered Christmas tree in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Mary Joy Morcisa from Philippines, right, gestures in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People pass by snow-covered a Christmas tree in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Visitors enjoy in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Snow-covered bicycles are parked near a subway station in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Visitors walk in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbok Palace are blanketed with snow in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Workers clean snow in front of the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Visitors enjoy in snow at the Gyeongbok Palace, one of South Korea's well-known landmarks, in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

No. 22 Illinois (8-3, 5-3 Big Ten, No. 23 CFP) at Northwestern (4-7, 2-6) at Chicago's Wrigley Field, Saturday, noon EST (Big Ten Network)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Illinois by 7 1/2.

Series record: Illinois leads 57-55-5.

Illinois is in line for its first nine-win season since the 2007 team went 9-4 on the way to the Rose Bowl. The Illini squeezed out a 38-31 victory at Rutgers last week when Luke Altmyer connected with Pat Bryant for a 40-yard touchdown pass with 4 seconds remaining. Northwestern has been outscored a combined 81-13 the past two games. The Wildcats were blown out 50-6 at Michigan last week after getting thumped by No. 2 Ohio State in the first game this season at Wrigley Field.

Bryant vs. Northwestern's secondary. Bryant was Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week after setting a career high with 197 yards on just seven catches. The winning touchdown was his third in the final minute or overtime this season — tops in the nation. It also gave him 2,025 yards in four seasons at Illinois..

Illinois: Altmyer. In his second season since transferring from Mississippi, Altmyer has completed 61% of his passes for 2,373 yards, 20 touchdowns and three interceptions. He is the only quarterback in the nation with 20 or more TDs and three or fewer INTs.

Northwestern: QB Jack Lausch. The redshirt sophomore from Chicago has started the past nine games after Mike Wright struggled through the first two and has more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five). He got picked off twice against Michigan and was sacked five times while completing 10 of 21 passes for 106 yards.

Northwestern is 0-4 at Wrigley Field since college football returned to “The Friendly Confines” in 2010 after more than a seven-decade absence. The Wildcats have been outscored in those games by a combined 121-55, starting with a 48-27 loss to Illinois in 2010. This will be the Illini's third appearance at the Chicago Cubs' ballpark. Led by Red Grange, the 1923 national champions beat Northwestern 29-0. ... The Illini have four fourth-quarter comeback victories this season — Kansas, at Nebraska, Purdue and at Rutgers. ... Northwestern was held to 10 yards rushing last week, including 33 yards lost on six sacks.

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Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant (13) scores a 40-yard touchdown after making a catch as teammate Alexander Capka-Jones (15) celebrates in the final seconds of an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois defeated Rutgers 38-31. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)