Cold weather expected for opening ceremony of Winter Olympics

South Korea's state weather agency said Wednesday it expects wind chill below minus 10 degrees Celsius at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Games.

"Temperatures will range between minus 5 C and minus 2 C, which is on par or above what is normal for this time of year," said the Korea Meteorological Administration.

"Due to being on the edge of high pressure on the evening of Friday, there will be thick clouds across the region."

The event will be hosted in the alpine town of PyeongChang, 180 kilometres east of Seoul, on Friday, reports Yonhap news wire.

The weather agency said wind chill is expected to fall as low as minus 14 C in other mountainous areas in Gangwon Province.

Due to the rising concern over weather conditions, event organisers have installed wind shields at the pentagonal open-air PyeongChang Olympic Stadium to keep athletes and spectators warm.

They have also set up 18 heat shelters and 40 large heaters at the venue.

After a rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics was held Saturday, numerous visitors expressed concern over excessively cold weather in the region.

During the rehearsal, the wind chill dropped to a whopping minus 23 C. The agency said temperatures will be higher at the main event.

"Still, as wind chill will still be minus 10 C, visitors should brace themselves," Yoo hee-dong, an official from the weather agency said.

"The organisers will also provide various supplies, but individuals should also make enough preparations."

The organisers said they will provide six heating items to visitors at the ceremonies: a rain coat, a small blanket, a winter cap, heating packs for hands and feet and a heating pad that visitors can sit on.

The weather agency added that temperatures will be normal throughout the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, as well as during the Winter Paralympics, set to follow in March.

--IANS

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