Heavy Rain of 30-50mm per Hour Mainly in Central Region During Morning Commute
40mm per Hour in Southern Gyeonggi, 30-50mm in Central and Southern Gangwon
Strong Rain Expected in Northern Gyeonggi in the Morning
Over 400mm Recorded in Dongjak-gu, Seoul from Previous Day to 7 AM
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Record-breaking heavy rain, the heaviest in 80 years, poured mainly over Seoul and Gyeonggi Province the previous day, and up to 300mm or more of heavy rain is expected in the metropolitan area and central regions by tomorrow.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), as of 7 a.m. today, very heavy rain is falling at a rate of 30 to 50mm per hour, mainly in the central region. In areas where strong rain clouds pass, extremely heavy rain of 50 to 100mm per hour is occurring, so caution is advised for traffic safety during the morning commute. In the metropolitan area, about 40mm per hour is falling in southern Gyeonggi areas such as Yangpyeong, Anseong, and Pyeongtaek, and in central and southern Gangwon Province, rain accompanied by gusts, thunder, and lightning is falling at 30 to 50mm per hour. In Dangjin, Chungnam Province, rain is falling at about 10 to 40mm per hour.
The KMA forecasts that from now until the 10th, 100 to 200mm of rain will fall in the metropolitan area, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, northern Chungcheong, and northwestern inland Gyeongbuk, with some places receiving more than 300mm. The east coast of Gangwon, Chungcheong region (except northern parts), northern Gyeongbuk (except northwestern inland), and the five islands in the West Sea will receive 50 to 150mm, while northern Jeonbuk, Ulleungdo, and Dokdo will see about 20 to 80mm of rain. From the 10th, southern Gyeongbuk is expected to receive 20 to 80mm, and southern Jeonbuk and northern Jeonnam about 5 to 30mm of rain.
Currently, rain clouds are developing over the West Sea and moving into the metropolitan area, so heavy rain is expected in northern Gyeonggi in the morning. The rain cloud band is narrow north to south but long east to west, moving up and down north to south and causing heavy rainfall.
The KMA stated, "Since the 8th, very heavy rain of about 100 to 300mm has fallen, weakening the ground and raising water levels in many areas. Additional rain in the metropolitan area and Gangwon Province raises concerns about flood damage, so it is essential to avoid approaching dangerous areas and exercise special caution for safety."
Currently, heavy rain warnings are in effect for Incheon, Seoul, Gangwon Province (Hongcheon plain, Cheorwon, Wonju, Hoengseong, Pyeongchang plain), and Gyeonggi Province. Heavy rain advisories have been issued for Chungbuk (Eumseong, Jincheon, Jecheon, Chungju), Chungnam (Seosan, Dangjin, Taean, Asan, Cheonan), and Gangwon (southern mountainous areas, central mountainous areas, northern mountainous areas, Inje plain, Yanggu plain, Chuncheon, Hwacheon, Jeongseon plain, Yeongwol).
Rainfall amounts from the previous day until 7 a.m. today include 422mm in Seoul (KMA), 398.5mm in Sanbuk (Yeoju), 396mm in Okcheon (Yangpyeong), 246.5mm in Cheongil (Hoengseong), 197.5mm in Sidong (Hongcheon), and 174.5mm in Myeonon (Pyeongchang).
Unlike the central region, which was hit by a deluge, the southern region continues to experience a heatwave. The daytime high temperature is expected to range from 26 to 34 degrees Celsius. Areas in northern Jeonbuk under heatwave warnings, as well as Jeonnam, Gyeongsang, and Jeju, will experience very hot conditions with daily maximum apparent temperatures rising to 32 to 36 degrees Celsius for the time being.
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