[Tomorrow's Weather] Daytime Temperatures Exceed 10 Degrees in Most Areas... Unusually 'Warm'

The Myeongdong shopping street in Jung-gu, Seoul is bustling with citizens and tourists. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] On the 11th, daytime temperatures across most regions nationwide will rise above 10 degrees Celsius, making it unusually mild for mid-January.

The morning low on the 11th is expected to range from -8°C to 4°C, and the daytime high from 6°C to 15°C. These temperatures are 5 to 10 degrees higher than the average (morning lows from -12°C to 0°C, daytime highs from 0°C to 8°C). However, the northeastern part of Gyeonggi Province and the inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province will experience cold mornings with temperatures around -10°C.

Expected low and high temperatures in major cities are: Seoul -2°C and 9°C, Incheon -2°C and 6°C, Daejeon -3°C and 10°C, Gwangju 0°C and 13°C, Daegu -3°C and 12°C, Ulsan -1°C and 14°C, and Busan 4°C and 14°C.

Normally, the period between the solar terms Sohan (小寒) and Daehan (大寒) is the coldest time of winter. However, a warm migratory high-pressure system, which has long been altered over inland China, is expected to pass over South Korea from the Yellow Sea to the East Sea on the 11th, making the day as warm as late November or early December. The clear skies due to the high-pressure system will also increase solar radiation, further raising temperatures.

Temperatures will be even higher on the 12th, when the high-pressure system moves into the East Sea and southerly winds blow into South Korea. The daytime high on the 12th is expected to reach 8°C to 17°C. Even a 1 to 2 degree increase beyond the forecast could make it the warmest January day on record. In Gangneung, Gangwon Province, the expected high on the 12th is 17°C, close to the record highest January daily temperature of 17.4°C set on January 12, 1964. In Seoul, where the highest January daily temperature record is 14.4°C on January 6, 1932, the high on the 12th is expected to be 12°C.

Rain is forecast to begin late afternoon and night on the 12th in Jeju, Honam, and the southern coast of Gyeongnam. A low-pressure system approaching from the west, combined with moist southerly winds brought by the high-pressure system over the East Sea, will bring a considerable amount of rain for winter.

Fine dust levels on the 11th will be 'bad' in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, while other regions will experience 'good' or 'moderate' levels. However, Incheon, Chungcheong, Jeonbuk, and Daegu may see 'bad' fine dust levels for a short time in the morning. On the 12th, only southern Gyeonggi Province is expected to have 'bad' fine dust levels.