The monsoon front is expected to push northward over the weekend, spreading rain across the entire country.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, rain that had been concentrated over the Jeolla region, South Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Island will ease briefly Saturday morning before expanding to southern South Chungcheong Province and southern North Gyeongsang Province by evening. Scattered showers of 5 to 20 millimeters are also expected in the Greater Seoul area and the Chungcheong provinces.
From Sunday afternoon, monsoon rains will reach the Greater Seoul area and inland Gangwon Province as well, with precipitation forecast to continue across most of the country through early next week.
Forecast rainfall for Saturday includes 20 to 60 millimeters for southern South Jeolla Province; 5 to 40 mm for Gwangju, northern South Jeolla Province, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province; 5 to 30 mm for Jeju Island; 5 to 20 mm for North Jeolla Province; and 5 to 10 mm for Daejeon, southern South Chungcheong Province, southern North Chungcheong Province, and Daegu and southern North Gyeongsang Province.
On Sunday, Jeju Island and the Jeolla region can expect 30 to 100 mm, with mountain areas of Jeju seeing more than 150 mm and the southern coast of South Jeolla Province receiving more than 120 mm in some areas. The Chungcheong provinces and the Busan-Ulsan-South Gyeongsang area are forecast to receive 30 to 80 mm, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province 20 to 60 mm, and the Greater Seoul area along with inland and mountainous parts of Gangwon Province 10 to 60 mm. The five West Sea islands will see 10 to 40 mm, while the Gangwon east coast, Ulleungdo and Dokdo can expect 5 to 20 mm.
The rain will be accompanied by persistent heat. Daytime temperatures are expected to climb above 30 degrees Celsius across inland areas for now, with the heat index reaching around 31 degrees, making for muggy conditions.
Saturday's daytime high is forecast at 24 to 32 degrees Celsius. On Sunday, morning lows are expected to range from 20 to 23 degrees, with afternoon highs of 25 to 31 degrees.
betterj@heraldcorp.com
