Snow alert lifted for all regions

SEOUL, Feb. 13 (Yonhap) -- Weather authorities lifted a heavy snowfall alert for
the northeastern part of Gangwon Province at Saturday noon, making it the last
region to have a snowfall warning or alert lifted in South Korea.

The snowfall alert has been imposed for the past one to two days as millions
headed for hometowns across the country to celebrate the Lunar New Year's
holiday, braving bad weather and road conditions.
On Friday, a day before the start of the three-day holiday, the shorter than
usual period and slippery roads caused serious traffic congestion on the main
highways linking Seoul to provincial cities such as Busan and Mokpo.
Weather officials urged caution for holiday tourists, saying there was a chance
melted snow could freeze again and turn roads icy when temperatures drop at
night.
Koreans traditionally gather at their hometowns or ancestral villages during the
Lunar New Year to pay tribute to their ancestors. More than 25 million people, up
about 10 percent from a year ago, are expected to travel during this year's
holiday period, many them choosing to drive, according to transportation
officials.
sshim@yna.co.kr
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