South Korea braces for cooler weather, showers next week

South Korea is bracing for a shift in weather patterns as cooler air from the north is set to arrive, bringing an end to the recent heatwave. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts showers nationwide on Thursday, with a possibility of thunderstorms and even hail in some areas due to atmospheric instability. Central and southwestern regions can expect rain on Friday as a low-pressure system passes.

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Cold air is approaching our skies, bringing rain until Friday, and temperatures will be slightly lower than average next week.

The cooler air mass is expected to linger through next week, limiting the expansion of subtropical high pressure that brings warmer, humid air. Daytime high temperatures in Seoul are predicted to hover in the mid-20s Celsius, remaining around or slightly below seasonal averages. This cooler, drier air from the north will dominate, contrasting with the warmer, moister air from the south.

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As cold air approaches our skies, the expansion of the subtropical high pressure from the south will be limited.

While the immediate forecast suggests a respite from the heat, the possibility of localized showers remains. These are expected to be caused by atmospheric instability rather than systematic weather fronts. A tropical disturbance, a potential precursor to a typhoon, is forecast to pass south of Japan's Kyushu region but is not expected to significantly impact South Korea. However, the public is advised to be cautious of safety accidents due to high waves and strong winds.

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We will be influenced by the cool and dry air from the north rather than the hot and humid air from the south, at least until next week.