Get Ready, South Korea: Torrential Rains Set to Drench the Peninsula!

After heavy rain drenched southern South Korea on Monday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warns that intense showers are set to soak most of the country from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday.

The KMA forecasts that southern regions of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, as well as North Jeolla Province, will be hit by heavy downpours. This precipitation is expected as cool, dry air from the northwest clashes with hot, humid air flowing into the Korean Peninsula along the edge of the North Pacific high-pressure system.

As these contrasting air masses meet, narrow, elongated rain clouds are likely to form. Areas under this rainband, particularly in the western parts of Korea’s central region, could see rainfall rates of 30 to 50 millimeters per hour.

From Wednesday to Thursday, southern Gyeonggi Province and the inland and mountainous areas of southern Gangwon Province can expect total rainfall of 50 to 100 millimeters, with some regions potentially seeing over 150 millimeters.

Other parts of the Greater Seoul area, excluding southern Gyeonggi Province, as well as inland and mountainous regions in central and northern Gangwon Province, may receive between 30 and 80 millimeters of rain.

By Thursday, the rain will spread to southern regions and Jeju Island as warm, humid air masses from tropical areas push into Korea along the edge of the high-pressure system hovering above the peninsula.

The KMA predicts that Thursday will feel hotter than the thermometer suggests. Warm southwesterly winds will usher in moisture, creating sticky, humid conditions across the country.

Friday is expected to bring heavy, concentrated rainfall nationwide. The risk of torrential downpours will be particularly high in southern regions and on Jeju Island, as dry air compresses against tropical moisture surging from the south.

Come Sunday, the North Pacific high-pressure system is forecast to expand over the Korean Peninsula, ushering in a heatwave with soaring temperatures across the nation.

While this week’s temperatures will hover close to seasonal averages, both highs and lows are expected to climb well above normal starting Sunday.

However, the weeklong deluge will leave significant moisture in the atmosphere. As a result, many areas across the country are likely to experience scattered showers and localized downpours during the afternoons, even as the heat intensifies.