The year began with intense cold across Europe, especially in central parts, where temperatures plunged into double-digit negatives. On New Year’s Eve, heavy snow battered eastern and central Europe, including Poland and Ukraine. Snow also covered the Alps in the first days of the year. Cold air from the Arctic is expected to stay this week, dragging temperatures 5C to 10C below normal in many places, except south-east Europe. Wind chill will make it feel colder. Meanwhile, in South Korea, the cold brought heavy snow to Jeju island. Jeju City saw over 9cm of snow. Flights and ferries were canceled due to snow and strong winds causing significant travel disruption. Corsica also faced fierce winds. The town of L’Île-Rousse felt winds around 60mph. The Cap Corse peninsula recorded winds near 100mph. This storm is not a typical Mistral wind event. A high-pressure zone in the north Atlantic pushed cold air south across France. At the same time, a low-pressure system formed in the Gulf of Genoa. The gap in the Rhône valley sped up the wind in a Venturi effect. The wind then moved over the Gulf of Lion and curved toward Corsica’s northern regions, bringing strong and unusual gusts.