A cold wave is forecast to grip South Korea this week, sending the mercury level below minus 20 degrees Celsius.

The Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) said on Monday that due to a Siberian cold air front moving southward, temperatures nationwide will significantly drop from Tuesday night. It said the cold spell will peak from Thursday to Saturday. 

The central region, including the Seoul metropolitan area, will see temperatures of minus 10 degrees or lower on Wednesday morning and remain at that level throughout Thursday.  

Morning temperatures in the region will even drop below minus 20 degrees from Friday and remain at around minus 15 degrees until Sunday with the wind-chill factor between Thursday and Saturday expected drive mercury levels up to 10 degrees or lower than official forecasts. 

Many parts of the nation are also expected to see frequent snowfalls this week. Heavy snow is likely to hit the western parts of the Jeolla provinces, as well as mountainous areas on Jeju Island.