Scorching heatwave grips South Korea, heavy rain expected

Much of South Korea is grappling with a severe heatwave, with daytime temperatures soaring to as high as 37 degrees Celsius in inland areas like Daegu. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has forecast that the "maximum perceived temperature" will hover around 33 degrees Celsius nationwide until Tuesday, urging the public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses.

Adding to the challenging weather, heavy rain is anticipated to begin in the Seoul metropolitan area and Chungnam province on Tuesday morning, spreading to other central regions and Jeolla provinces in the afternoon. By evening, the rain is expected to reach the Gyeongsang provinces. The KMA predicts that the central and Jeolla regions will experience intense downpours, with potential for thunderstorms and strong winds.

Localized rainfall intensity could reach up to 30-50mm per hour in areas like northern Gyeonggi Province and northern inland Gangwon Province. The KMA has issued warnings about increased risks of safety accidents during the night, including landslides, embankment collapses, flash floods, and isolation in underpasses. Drivers are advised to exercise caution due to rapidly decreasing visibility and potential road flooding.

Overnight temperatures are expected to remain high, with tropical nights (minimum temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius) continuing in most parts of the country. Daytime highs on Tuesday are forecast to range from 28 to 37 degrees Celsius, significantly above the seasonal average. Despite the rain, the KMA expects air quality to remain at "good" levels across the country due to effective atmospheric diffusion and the influence of precipitation.