'Stay safe in the heat': Temperatures to hit 33 C nationwide; showers expected in Gyeonggi, Gangwon

Hot and humid conditions will grip the country Saturday, with scattered showers expected in parts of the nation.

Apparent high temperatures are forecast to hover around 33 C across most of the country for now, with tropical nights — when the overnight low stays at or above 25 C — possible in some areas.

As the monsoon rains ease into a lull, heat advisories are in effect across most of the country, including Seoul, signaling the start of peak summer heat. Showers will fall in some areas throughout the day.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, apparent high temperatures will reach around 33 C in most regions for now, with overnight heat keeping temperatures elevated and tropical nights likely in some areas. Tropical night advisories are already in place along the Gangwon east coast and areas south of the Chungcheong region. Seoul, where the morning temperature hovered around 25 C, could see its first tropical night of the year. A tropical night is defined as a period from 6:01 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following day during which the minimum temperature stays at or above 25 C.

As of 5 a.m. Saturday, temperatures stood at 25.0 C in Seoul, 25.0 C in Incheon, 23.8 C in Suwon, 23.6 C in Chuncheon, 28.4 C in Gangneung, 24.3 C in Cheongju, 23.2 C in Daejeon, 24.8 C in Jeonju, 24.8 C in Gwangju, 28.5 C in Jeju, 23.8 C in Daegu, 25.1 C in Busan, 23.0 C in Ulsan and 23.8 C in Changwon. Gangneung, where a tropical night advisory is in effect, was already sweltering before dawn with temperatures exceeding 28 C.

Daytime highs are forecast between 29 C and 36 C. Trace rainfall of less than 0.1 millimeters is possible in northern Gyeonggi Province and northern Gangwon Province between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Rain may also fall on Jeju Island from midday.

In the afternoon, showers are expected in eastern South Chungcheong Province, southern North Chungcheong Province and northeastern North Jeolla Province.

Forecast shower totals are 5 to 30 millimeters for Daejeon, Sejong, eastern South Chungcheong Province, North Chungcheong Province and eastern North Jeolla Province, and 5 to 20 millimeters for eastern Gyeonggi Province.

High swells are also expected off the Jeju Island coast and the southern coast, and beachgoers should take care near the shoreline.

Wave heights are forecast at 0.5 to 1.0 meters in coastal East Sea waters and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in coastal Yellow Sea and South Sea waters. In the open sea within about 200 kilometers of the coastline, waves are expected to reach 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the East Sea, 0.5 to 4.0 meters in the Yellow Sea and 1.0 to 3.5 meters in the South Sea.