Motivation
A. Motivation for Topic Selection
In late November 2024, the Seoul metropolitan area experienced an unprecedented snowfall event, marking the highest recorded November snowfall in the city's meteorological history. This rare phenomenon caused significant disruptions and social impacts across the region. The event is particularly noteworthy due to the convergence of multiple meteorological factors—such as unusually high sea surface temperatures, strong land-sea thermal contrasts, Arctic Oscillation anomalies, and shifts in the jet stream. These characteristics make it a prime example of extreme weather driven by complex climatic interactions. This study was motivated by the desire to understand how climate change can manifest through specific and impactful weather anomalies like this one.
B. Necessity of the Analysis
As climate change continues to alter atmospheric circulation patterns on both short and long timescales, extreme snowfall events offer valuable opportunities to explore the dynamic interplay between key meteorological elements through synoptic analysis. In particular, examining phenomena such as the southward displacement of the jet stream, the development of blocking highs, and enhanced land-sea thermal contrasts (marine heat flux) can provide deeper insights into the mechanisms behind extreme winter weather. From an educational perspective, applying theoretical knowledge to a real-world case study enhances our understanding of both climate variability and meteorological processes.
C. Objectives of This Study
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To identify and investigate the key meteorological causes behind the record-breaking snowfall of November 2024.
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To analyze the atmospheric circulation patterns associated with the snowfall event.
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To assess the likelihood of similar extreme snowfall events occurring in the future and to derive implications for climate disaster preparedness and response strategies.
2024.11.27 Research Cooperation Building
2024.11.27 Ewha Womans University
