Storm conditions expected to worsen today
South Korea was hit by a yellow dust storm on February 14, the first time this year. "Yellow dust, which originated from Neimeng and Manchuria in China, came through North Korea and was detected in Seoul, Dongducheon, Munsan, Suwon, and on Baekryeong Island," the Korea Meteorological Agency said. On Baekryeong Island, the yellow dust storm began at 5:20 a.m. and lasted for 1.5 hours. In Seoul and Dongducheon, the sandstorm started at 1:20 p.m. and 1:40 p.m., respectively, thought its density was not enough to cause serious health problems, forecasters said. The density of the dust storm was 269 micrograms per cubic meter as of 6 a.m. on Baekryeong Island, 152 micrograms per cubic meter at 3 p.m. at Gwanak Mountain, Seoul, and 159 micrograms per cubic meter at 4 p.m. at Gwangdeok Mountain, Gangwon Province. A microgram is equal to one millionth of a gram.According to the World Meteorological Organization, such dust storms tint the sky a yellowish hue and render visibility poor. "The yellow dust storm this time resulted from dust that originated from Manchuria," a forecaster at the meteorological agency said. "The situation is expected to worsen on Thursday as dust continues to arrive." Last year, the first yellow dust storm hit Seoul on March 11. Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]
