Youn Ki-han, the head of Seoul’s Meteorology Forecast Division, told the AFP news agency that the heavy snowfall was due to strong westerly winds and a “significant temperature difference between the sea surface and the cold air”.

It is expected to continue through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning.

The cold weather comes after the region experienced a period of mild autumn temperatures.

“Just last week, I felt that the November autumn was a bit warm, but in just one week it feels like it’s turned into a winter wonderland, which was quite a contrast,” said businessman Bae Joo-han.

“So I came out onto the streets today to enjoy the first snowfall of this winter.”