Winter is Officially Here!
Hey besties! Hope you’re all staying warm wherever you are, because here in Seoul, winter is coming in STRONG. The weather forecast for today (Saturday, the 13th) is no joke. The central region of Korea is expecting a massive snowfall, with some areas, especially in the mountains, predicted to get over 15 cm of snow! Here in Seoul, we’re looking at around 2 to 7 cm (about 1-3 inches), which is still enough to turn the city into a beautiful, slushy wonderland. The government is already gearing up to prevent the kind of traffic chaos we saw a week ago, so they’re taking this pretty seriously.
It’s Not the Cold, It’s the *Wind Chill*
Okay, so the actual temperatures are hovering around -3°C to 2°C (that’s like high 20s to low 30s Fahrenheit), but the real kicker is the *chegam-ondo* (체감온도). This is the “feels-like” temperature, and because of the strong winds, it’s going to feel way, way colder than what the thermometer says. So if you’re visiting, don’t be fooled by the numbers—you need to bundle up with all the layers, scarves, and gloves you can find!
The Great Iced Americano Debate
Now for the most Korean part of this whole story. The news literally included a health warning for people who drink Iced Americanos in the winter. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s a massive cultural thing here. We even have a word for it: *“Eoljuka”* (얼죽아), which is short for “Even if I freeze to death, Iced Americano!” It’s a whole identity, haha!
So many Koreans, myself included sometimes, prefer the crisp, clean taste of an iced coffee, or as we call it, “Ah-Ah” (아아). We drink it year-round. Some say it’s because our offices and subways are so heated in the winter, a cold drink is refreshing. Others say it’s the fastest way to get a caffeine fix during our “ppalli-ppalli” (hurry, hurry) work culture. But the news report pointed out that drinking icy drinks in freezing weather can make poor circulation, especially cold hands and feet (*sujok-naengjeung*), even worse. So, it’s a friendly reminder to my fellow *Eoljuka* fans to maybe switch to a warm latte… at least for today!
Stay Warm and Safe!
Whether you’re team hot or cold coffee, the main thing is to stay safe and warm this weekend! The snow will be beautiful, but the roads might get slippery. So, enjoy the winter scenery from a cozy café, and if you see someone shivering while drinking an iced coffee, just know they’re part of a proud Korean tradition. Talk to you guys soon!
