Monsoon Rain Stops Earlier Than Expected... Heatwave Returns from Afternoon

As the monsoon rain stops, the heatwave is expected to return.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 5th, the low pressure system accompanying the stationary front moved out to the East Sea this morning, causing the monsoon rain that was expected to continue until the morning to end somewhat earlier.

On the 4th, with a forecast of up to 150mm of heavy rain overnight in the central region, citizens are walking with umbrellas at Gongdeok Intersection in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

However, heavy rain warnings for Jeju (except the western part), Ulleungdo, and Dokdo have not been lifted until 7 a.m., with rainfall of 10 to 30 mm per hour.

Looking at the rainfall records since 6 p.m. the previous day, Daejeon experienced 40 mm of rain from 6:19 p.m. for one hour. In Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 39.5 mm of rain poured from 7:09 p.m. to 8:09 p.m. Until dawn, heavy rain with hourly rainfall of 20 to 40 mm fell mainly in the western regions.

Total rainfall from the previous day until 7 a.m. today was 107.9 mm in Daejeon, 107.3 mm in Boeun, Chungbuk, 104.5 mm in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk, 97.8 mm and 96.7 mm in Buyeo and Seosan, Chungnam, 89.1 mm in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 87.9 mm in Bukchuncheon, Gangwon, 84.2 mm in Paju, Gyeonggi, 77.1 mm in Seoul, 69.9 mm in Incheon, and 59.0 mm in Gwangju.

'Heat wave advisory will be in effect in the Seoul area starting from 11 a.m.'
An emergency alert message arrived on the cellphone with a loud notification sound. This is not the typical midsummer situation of late July to early August. It is a heat wave advisory issued in mid-June. Due to global warming, the entire world is suffering from abnormal weather patterns. The distinct four seasons in South Korea are now a thing of the past. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

From this morning, as the monsoon rain stops and the skies clear, daytime temperatures will rise significantly, marking the start of the heatwave again.

At 8 a.m., temperatures in major cities were Seoul 22.3°C, Incheon 21.5°C, Daejeon 22.5°C, Gwangju 23.6°C, Daegu 27.1°C, Ulsan 24.7°C, and Busan 23.9°C, with the forecasted daytime high temperatures ranging from 26 to 33°C.

Especially in the Yeongnam region, some places will see daytime temperatures rise above 31°C. The Korea Meteorological Administration reports that the humid conditions caused by the monsoon rain may increase the apparent temperature above 33°C, potentially leading to heatwave warnings in some areas.