Seoul: The cold snap that swept across the nation for several days until Wednesday is expected to ease later this week, the state weather agency said. Morning temperatures again dropped below freezing in the central region, including Seoul, and many southeastern areas in North Gyeongsang Province on Wednesday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Gangwon Province's Daegwallyeong and Paju, just northwest of Seoul, registered minus 10.5 C and minus 6.9 C, respectively, with the mercury dropping to minus 1.6 C in the capital, the agency said. Daytime highs are expected to range from 6 to 13 C nationwide, marking a daily temperature difference of up to 15 C, it noted.

The KMA said daytime temperatures will rise to the seasonal average of 8 to 15 C on Thursday and Friday, as the influx of cold air from the north ends and the relatively warm air flows in from the Yellow Sea.