KMA: "Use Jeongchejeonseon and Jangmacheol Instead of Jangmajeonseon and Gigan"

KMA Holds Monsoon Season Forum

On August 13, as the longest rainy season in history comes to an end, the water is receding at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul, revealing the walking paths. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced that it will expand the use of the term "jeongchejeonseon" (stationary front) and refer to the monsoon period as "jangma-cheol" (monsoon season).

On the 28th, the KMA analyzed recent monsoon characteristics and held a monsoon forum to redefine the concept of the monsoon. The forum discussed topics such as this year's monsoon status in Korea, difficulties in analyzing and communicating monsoon forecasts, and redefining the monsoon concept in response to changes in monsoon characteristics.

Based on the discussions, the KMA decided to use the term "jeongchejeonseon" instead of "jangmajeonseon" (monsoon front) when announcing forecasts and outlooks related to the summer monsoon. The monsoon was previously understood as a phenomenon of continuous heavy rain caused by a stationary front, and the stationary front was called the "monsoon front." However, this year's monsoon brought heavy rainfall not only due to the stationary front but also due to low pressure systems and atmospheric instability. It has become difficult to equate the stationary front directly with the monsoon front. Additionally, there were cases during the monsoon period when the stationary front was not clearly present.

Furthermore, although it is called the monsoon period, it has become difficult to clearly distinguish the monsoon period due to heavy rainfall caused by atmospheric instability before and after the period. There were also times when no rain fell. Accordingly, the KMA plans to refer to the monsoon period as the monsoon season ("jangma-cheol").