Unusual Weather Patterns: Heatwaves and Monsoon Rains
A unique weather pattern is currently affecting the country, with a combination of heatwaves and monsoon rains creating challenging conditions. Daytime temperatures have risen up to 35 degrees Celsius, and this trend is expected to continue until the 9th. However, heavy monsoon rains are also anticipated during this period, marking the start of what is being referred to as a “heatwave monsoon” phenomenon.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain is expected across the country due to the influence of a stationary front, commonly known as a monsoon front. This front is causing significant fluctuations in weather conditions, with some areas experiencing heavy rainfall while others face intense heat.
On the 8th, a Heavy Rain Advisory was issued for the Central Region, indicating that 3-hour cumulative rainfall could reach 60 mm or more. Simultaneously, a Heat Wave Advisory was in effect in various parts of the Southern Region, where the highest perceived temperature was expected to be 33 degrees Celsius or higher for two consecutive days. The stationary front is responsible for these contrasting weather conditions, with heavy rain occurring where it remains and heatwaves developing in areas it has moved away from.
The movement of the stationary front across the country has led to a situation where areas previously affected by heatwaves are now experiencing concentrated heavy rain. While temperatures temporarily drop during rainfall, they quickly return to heatwave levels once the rain clouds pass. This cycle is expected to continue throughout the week.
This year’s monsoon season has been accompanied by heatwaves, which is unusual. Typically, the monsoon begins later than average, but this year, it started on June 30 in Jeju and on July 1 in the Central and Southern regions. The delayed start has resulted in intense rainfall and heatwaves occurring simultaneously from the beginning. Normally, temperatures drop during rain and rise again when it stops, but this year’s monsoon has seen rain concentrated in July, leading to the coexistence of heatwaves.
On the 9th, both heatwaves and heavy rain are expected to occur simultaneously. The morning low on the 9th is forecasted to be between 21–25 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs reaching 26–35 degrees. Although Seoul’s maximum temperature is predicted to be 27 degrees, the perceived temperature is expected to approach 30 degrees due to relative humidity rising up to 95%. For every 10 percentage point increase in relative humidity above the 55% baseline, the perceived temperature increases by 1 degree.
The expected rainfall from the 8th to the 9th is forecasted to vary across different regions. In the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province, 50–150 mm of rain is expected. Chungcheong and Jeonbuk will see 80–200 mm, while Jeonnam-Gwangju can expect 10–100 mm. Gyeongbuk is forecasted to receive 20–150 mm, Daegu 20–60 mm, Gyeongnam 5–60 mm, and Jeju 5–20 mm.
This rain cloud system is expected to bring an additional 5–40 mm of rain to the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon Province until the morning of the 10th before moving northward. From the afternoon of the 10th until the weekend (11th–12th), the country is expected to experience sauna-like heat as it comes under the periphery of the North Pacific high-pressure system. Following heavy rainfall, strong sunlight is anticipated to heat the ground, leading to increased discomfort due to high humidity. This weekend, maximum temperatures are expected to rise up to 36 degrees Celsius, with minimum temperatures forming between 22–26 degrees, resulting in tropical nights (minimum nighttime temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius or higher) in many areas.
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