The first autumn foliage of the year has appeared on Mount Seorak. Temperatures are set to fall sharply after rain this week, marking the start of the peak foliage season.
The Gangwon Regional Office of Meteorology said on the 28th that the year's first autumn leaves were observed on Mount Seorak in Gangwon State. The date is four days earlier than last year's Oct. 2 and matches the long-term average.
For well-known mountains, the first foliage is declared when about 20% of the mountain has changed color, starting from the summit. The peak is considered reached when about 80% of the mountain has turned. Foliage on Mount Seorak peaked on Oct. 24 last year, while the average peak date is Oct. 17.
Colder weather from this week is expected to speed up the color change. The Korea Meteorological Administration said about 5 millimeters of rain will fall in Gangwon and the Gyeongsang region on the 29th, followed by 5 to 10 millimeters in central areas including the Seoul metropolitan area on the 30th. Cold air from the north will then push morning lows down to between 8 and 19 degrees Celsius on the first day of October.
