Rain to sweep nation Saturday, clearing Sunday as temperatures stay above seasonal norms

Autumn rain will fall across the country this weekend, but temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal norms, keeping conditions relatively mild. Rain will begin across most areas in the early hours of Saturday and gradually taper off by Saturday night, with Sunday's daytime high forecast to reach 21 degrees Celsius.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on Friday, rain had already begun over Jeju Island and South Jeolla Province under the influence of a pressure trough approaching from the southwest. The rain was set to spread Friday night to Incheon, southwestern Gyeonggi Province, the Chungcheong region and western South Gyeongsang Province.

From early Saturday, rain will extend to most parts of the country. It will ease across the majority of areas by Saturday night, though some parts of South Jeolla Province and the Yeongnam region may see rain continue until early Sunday, and Jeju Island until Sunday morning.

Forecast precipitation from Friday through Sunday is 10 to 60mm for Jeju Island and 10 to 40mm for Gwangju, South Jeolla Province, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province. The Chungcheong region, North Jeolla Province, Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province, Ulleungdo and Dokdo are expected to receive 5 to 30mm.

The Greater Seoul area and Gangwon Province will see relatively less rain. Southern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province are forecast to receive 5 to 10mm, while Seoul, Incheon, northern Gyeonggi Province and the West Sea Five Islands can expect around 5mm.

Despite the rain, temperatures will not drop sharply. Warm, moist air flowing in from the southwest is expected to push temperatures above average levels nationwide.

Saturday's morning lows are forecast at 6 to 14 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 11 to 17 degrees. In major cities, morning lows and afternoon highs are expected as follows: Seoul and Incheon at 10 and 14 degrees; Daejeon at 11 and 15 degrees; Gwangju at 13 and 17 degrees; Daegu at 10 and 15 degrees; and Busan at 13 and 16 degrees.

On Sunday, morning lows will range from 6 to 13 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs climbing to 16 to 21 degrees. Typical temperatures for this time of year run from 0 to 9 degrees in the morning and 11 to 17 degrees in the afternoon, making the weekend notably mild by comparison.

However, roads may be slippery in areas receiving rain, and motorists should exercise caution. Thunderstorms with gusts are also possible over the southern seas and around Jeju Island on Saturday.

Sea conditions will deteriorate toward the latter half of the weekend. Starting Sunday afternoon in the outer waters of the West Sea, and extending to the central East Sea by Sunday night, winds are forecast to blow at 30 to 60 kilometers per hour, with waves reaching up to 3.5 meters.

Swells will also move into the East Sea coast from Sunday night. Waves could wash over rocky shores and breakwaters, and visitors to coastal areas — including anglers — are urged to take care.

The mild weekend weather is expected to change from the middle of next week. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's medium-range forecast, rain will return nationwide from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning, and a surge of cold air from the north is expected to bring a sharp temperature drop on Wednesday and Thursday.

Strong winds will make conditions feel even colder than the actual temperatures. With a significant gap expected between weekend and midweek temperatures, people are advised to take care of their health.