Spring Rain and Yellow Dust Nationwide... "Bring an Umbrella"

Capital region, Gangwon Yeongseo, Chungnam area, and northern Chungbuk around 5mm
Most fine dust concentrations 'Bad' due to yellow dust from China
Showers with gusts expected on Saturday

On the 12th, when spring rain fell, citizens with umbrellas passed by a flower bed near Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] On Friday the 16th, spring rain will fall nationwide, and fine dust levels will be 'bad' due to yellow dust coming from China.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 16th, rain will fall from morning to afternoon in the Seoul metropolitan area, northern Chungnam, the west coast of Chungnam, and Gangwon Yeongseo. The Chungcheong region, Jeonbuk, and northern inland areas of Gyeongbuk will also experience rain at times during the day, and there will be occasional raindrops in the Jeonnam area, southern Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam area, and mountainous areas of Jeju Island.

Expected precipitation until 6 p.m. tomorrow is around 5mm in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Chungnam area, northern Chungbuk, and the five western islands. Jeonbuk, southern Chungbuk, and northern inland areas of Gyeongbuk are expected to receive less than 5mm.

With the inflow of yellow dust along with rain, fine dust concentrations have increased in most areas nationwide. Since the 14th, yellow dust originating from Mongolia and the Inner Mongolian Plateau in China has been moving southeast along with rain clouds. On this day, fine dust levels in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon area, Chungcheong area, Honam area, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Jeju area are expected to be 'bad,' while other regions are expected to be 'moderate.' Due to the influence of yellow dust, the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon area, and Chungcheong area will temporarily rise to 'very bad' levels at night. On Saturday the 17th, all regions are expected to be 'very bad.'

The whole country will be mostly cloudy, gradually clearing from the central region from daytime. With southerly winds, temperatures will rise about 5 degrees compared to yesterday. Morning temperatures on the 16th will be above 5 degrees in most areas nationwide, with daytime highs ranging from 15 to 22 degrees. On the 17th, morning temperatures will be 2 to 12 degrees, 1 to 4 degrees lower than today, with daytime highs of 13 to 20 degrees.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said, "From today through the day after tomorrow, strong winds will make the perceived temperature even lower, causing chilly conditions. The temperature difference between day and night will be around 15 degrees, so please be cautious about health management, including immune system weakening due to rapid temperature changes."

On the 12th, when spring rain fell, citizens with umbrellas passed in front of tulips in Mugyo-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the 17th, there is news of showers accompanied by gusty winds in some areas such as the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, and northern Chungcheong. As a low-pressure trough carrying very cold air from the north moves in, the temperature difference between the upper and lower atmosphere increases, causing atmospheric instability, resulting in gusts reaching around 15 meters per second and showers accompanied by thunder and lightning in some places. There will also be light raindrops in the Seoul metropolitan area and northern Gangwon Yeongseo in the morning.

Strong winds and gusts are expected, so facilities such as screening clinics, construction sites, and vinyl greenhouses should be inspected, and safety accidents should be avoided. From morning to night, strong winds of 10 to 16 meters per second with gusts exceeding 20 meters per second will blow in the mountainous areas of Gangwon, the east coast of Gangwon, and the east coast of Gyeongbuk. On the 17th and 18th, in the southern regions, average wind speeds of 6 to 12 meters per second will blow very strongly from morning to night.

Attention should also be paid to frost and crop management. From the early morning to morning of the 16th, frost and ice will occur in the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon and the northeastern mountainous areas of Gyeongbuk. On the 17th, frost and ice will occur in eastern Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, inland Chungcheong, inland Gyeongbuk, and eastern Jeonbuk.