Heavy Rain Concentrated from Night in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong Areas... Over 100mm Falls in Northern Gyeonggi

Record Rainfall Exceeding 100mm per Hour in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi
Stationary Front Moves North and South Causing Heavy and Intense Rain
Over 60mm per Hour Rainfall in Guro and Yeongdeungpo Districts, Seoul

On the 8th, when heavy rain fell mainly in the central region, citizens with umbrellas hurried their steps on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] With heavy rain warnings in effect for most areas of the Seoul metropolitan area, strong and heavy rain is expected to fall from the night of the 8th through the early morning of the 9th, reaching Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungcheong regions.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, very strong and heavy rain is forecast to pour over the central region from tonight until tomorrow morning. Rain clouds are redeveloping strongly near the Gyeonggi Bay area, causing heavy rainfall around 4 PM in northern Seoul and Gyeonggi. From night until tomorrow morning, very strong and heavy rain is expected mainly in southern Seoul, southern Gyeonggi, and the Chungcheong region.

A KMA official explained, "Cloud bands are moving in from the west, causing rain to start in the west and spread eastward. Heavy rain is expected overnight in southern Seoul, southern Gyeonggi, and the Chungcheong region, and the rain cloud band may rapidly move north again. Under the stationary front, warm and humid air is flowing in from the south while cold air is descending from the north, creating conditions for rain across the entire central region."

This stationary front is affecting the central region with rain cloud bands moving up and down north-south. The rain cloud bands are narrow north-south but elongated east-west, bringing heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning with hourly rainfall reaching 50 to 100 mm in affected areas. Cumulative precipitation is expected to exceed 350 mm by the 10th.

On the 8th, when heavy rain fell mainly in the central region, citizens holding umbrellas hurried their steps on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

By 3 PM today, over 100 mm of rain had fallen in northern Gyeonggi and Yeongseo region of Gangwon. Major precipitation amounts by 3 PM include Sinseo (Yeoncheon) 171 mm, Gwanin (Pocheon) 139.5 mm, Gapyeong Jojong 112.5 mm, Deokjeong-dong (Yangju) 106 mm, Incheon 91.2 mm, and Han River (Seoul) 67 mm. Cheorwon Jangheung also recorded 137.5 mm, and Sanae (Hwacheon) had 79 mm of rain.

In northern Gyeonggi, hourly rainfall exceeded 100 mm around 10 AM. Jungmyeon, Yeoncheon recorded 100 mm per hour. Heavy rain continued around lunchtime at 1 PM, with Guro-gu in Seoul recording 62 mm per hour, Yeongdeungpo-gu 60 mm per hour, Dongjak-gu 57 mm per hour, and Jung-gu 42 mm per hour.

Especially in rivers near northern Gyeonggi such as Imjingang, Hantangang, and Bukhangang basins, water levels are rising and flow speeds increasing, so military units, camping sites, and vacationers camping outdoors should exercise special caution to prevent safety accidents.

Currently, heavy rain warnings are in effect for Incheon, Seoul (southwest and southeast areas), Gangwon-do (Cheorwon), Gyeonggi Yangpyeong, Gwangju, Hwaseong, Hanam, Uiwang, Gunpo, Anyang, Seongnam, Paju, Yangju, Gapyeong, Pocheon, Yeoncheon, Dongducheon, Gimpo, Bucheon, Siheung, Ansan, Gwacheon, and Gwangmyeong. Heavy rain warnings are issued when 3-hour rainfall is expected to exceed 90 mm and 12-hour rainfall is expected to exceed 180 mm. Additionally, heavy rain advisories are in effect for northwest and northeast Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Yeongseo region of Gangwon-do.