S. Korea's Dust Storms Worst Since 2002 - Visibility 2 Kilometers

The Korea weather agency on Sunday morning lifted a dust storm warning for the entire Korean Peninsula. However, a slight sign of yellow dust was observed during the day. It is forecast that dust storms will hit the country once or twice more this month.

On Saturday, people were advised to refrain from engaging in outdoor activities as the sand storm, the worst of its kind since 2002, swept the peninsula.

Many people on the streets were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from the dust. The dust inconvenienced those who went out to enjoy cherry blossoms and other spring flowers.

Visibility was down to 2 kilometers, just one-fifth of the usual 10-kilometers on clear days. The dust density exceeded 500 micrograms per cubic meter and surged to 1,510 micrograms per cubic meter in the worst hit regions.

EDIT

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200604/kt2006040917140611950.htm

It's soil, and a good bit of it will be falling into the sea off the peninsula.

This is twice this year it's happened. It makes the sky look really gloomy and kind of oppressive.

I live in Bucheon. I've lived in Korea for almost a decade.

Is it 'Just' an inconvienience, or do people look at it as being something more serious?

(Inquiring minds want to know!) :)

It happens every year and has for centuries.

Not a sign of the apocalypse, then. Guess we'll have to wait for mass extinction and middle-east nuclear war after all... :)

Thanks. There's so much unusual stuff going on these days, it's difficult to tell what unusual unusual and what's usual unusual. :silly: