Heavy showers to hit Seoul and Chungcheong; monsoon rains to move north by weekend

South Korea is bracing for a weekend of mixed weather, with heavy showers expected in the capital region and Chungcheong province on Friday. The monsoon rains, currently affecting the southern parts of the country, are forecast to move northward, reaching the Seoul metropolitan area by Sunday.

From Friday through Sunday, inland areas will experience a pattern of alternating showers and monsoon rains. The showers are predicted to start in the morning in Seoul, Incheon, southern Gyeonggi, Gangwon, northern Chungcheong, and parts of Gyeongbuk. By the afternoon and evening, most of the country will see showers.

Precipitation is expected to range from 5 to 40mm in the Seoul metropolitan area and Gyeonggi province, with some inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon also receiving similar amounts. Coastal Gangwon may see around 5mm. Daejeon, Sejong, eastern Chungnam, and parts of Chungbuk could receive 5 to 40mm, while eastern Jeonbuk might get 5 to 30mm. Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and western inland Gyeongnam are forecast to receive 5 to 30mm.

Some areas could experience intense downpours of up to 20mm per hour, accompanied by strong winds, thunder, and lightning. Authorities are advising residents to take precautions to manage facilities and prevent accidents. The monsoon rains will begin again in Jeju on Friday morning and reach southern Jeonnam by late afternoon.