A visitor to Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, cools off with a handheld fan. [The Herald Business DB]
A visitor to Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, cools off with a handheld fan. [The Herald Business DB]

Heat and high humidity are expected to persist Friday, just two days before Cheosu — the traditional solar term marking the end of summer. Daytime highs are forecast to stay above 30 degrees Celsius through Cheosu itself on Sunday, dashing hopes for an early break in the hot weather.

South Korea will remain on the edge of the North Pacific high-pressure system Friday, allowing a continued inflow of hot, humid air. Feels-like temperatures are expected to climb to around 33 C in areas under heat advisories — particularly the Chungcheong region, the southern provinces and Jeju — while parts of South Jeolla Province and South Gyeongsang Province could see apparent temperatures reach around 35 C.

Morning lows Friday are forecast at 21–26 C, with afternoon highs ranging from 28 to 35 C.

Forecast lows and highs for major cities: Seoul 24/30 C, Incheon 24/29 C, Daejeon 24/32 C, Gwangju 26/35 C, Daegu 24/33 C, Ulsan 25/32 C and Busan 25/33 C.

The heat will carry into the weekend. Saturday is expected to bring morning lows of 21–26 C and afternoon highs of 28–34 C, while Cheosu on Sunday will see lows of 21–26 C and highs of 30–34 C.

The sustained inflow of hot, humid air will also trigger rain and showers in scattered areas.

Rain is expected across the Greater Seoul area and inland and mountainous parts of Gangwon Province from early Friday morning through Saturday morning. The Chungcheong region and northern North Jeolla Province can also expect rain between early Friday morning and midday.

Forecast rainfall totals: 30–80 millimeters for the West Sea Five Islands; 10–60 mm for Incheon and northern Gyeonggi Province; 5–50 mm for Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong Province; 5–40 mm for Seoul, southern Gyeonggi Province, and inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province; 5–30 mm for North Chungcheong Province; and 5–20 mm for northern North Jeolla Province.

Atmospheric instability — caused by cold air aloft meeting warm, moist air at lower levels — will also bring isolated showers.

Showers are possible in the Chungcheong region and southern provinces Friday afternoon through evening, while Jeju could see showers from morning through evening. Expected rainfall is 5–40 mm for Jeju and 5–50 mm elsewhere.

While rain and showers will briefly lower temperatures, the heat is expected to rebound quickly once precipitation clears, keeping the sweltering conditions in place.


quq@heraldcorp.com