Cooling rains arrive in Korea, but heat wave lingers in the south

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Cooling rains arrive in Korea, but heat wave lingers in the south

Published: 12 Sep. 2024, 11:06 Updated: 12 Sep. 2024, 11:21

SEO JI-EUN
seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr

Citizens walk with umbrellas in Gwanghwamun in central Seoul on Thursday morning. [NEWS1]

A cooling rain is falling across much of Korea as of Thursday morning, with central regions expected to see the heaviest rainfall.

However, southern regions are forecast to experience less precipitation, allowing the heat wave to continue.

The rain, driven by a pressure trough moving eastward from the Yellow Sea, will bring showers nationwide on Thursday. Areas where warm, humid air gathers are expected to see stronger rain cloud formations, with heavy downpours of up to 30 millimeters per hour forecast for the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon and northern Chungcheong through the afternoon.

Rainfall will be concentrated in central regions, with intermittent breaks in the weather across Chungcheong and the southern regions. In Jeju, the rain is expected to stop by midday, followed by southern regions in the afternoon, and central regions by evening. However, northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon may experience rain continuing into late night.

Looking ahead, rain is expected to persist in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon on Friday, with northern Gyeonggi and northern Gangwon possibly seeing rain extend into Saturday afternoon.

Expected rainfall amounts range from 20 to 60 millimeters (0.78 to 2.36 inches) in the Seoul metropolitan area, the five Yellow Sea islands, Gangwon and the northern parts of South and North Chungcheong, with localized amounts exceeding 80 millimeters. Daejeon, Sejong, the southern parts of South Chungcheong and central and southern parts of North Chungcheong can expect 10 to 40 millimeters, while southern regions and Jeju are forecast to receive 5 to 40 millimeters.

Daytime high temperatures are expected to range from 25 to 33 degrees Celsius (77 to 91.4 Fahrenheit) on Thursday. Due to the forecast rain, heat advisories have been lifted across most of the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon, except for southern Gyeonggi.

Typhoon Bebinca, also called Typhoon No. 13, is expected to pass through Okinawa, Japan, and head toward Shanghai, China. This system is pushing hot and humid air into the Korean Peninsula, prolonging the summerlike conditions.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]