South Korea braces for heavy weekend rain, followed by return of heatwave

South Korea is bracing for significant rainfall on Sunday, August 16, with the Meteorological Administration forecasting widespread precipitation across the country. The southern coastal areas, including the Gyeongnam and Jirisan regions, are expected to bear the brunt, potentially receiving between 100 to 200 millimeters of rain, and in some localized spots, exceeding 250 millimeters. The central-southern coastal areas of Gyeongnam could also see over 200 millimeters.

Residents in these areas are advised to be cautious of potential flooding and drainage issues, especially along coastal lowlands during high tide. The forecast also includes the possibility of sudden downpours, leading to significant variations in rainfall even within the same region. Strong winds, with instantaneous speeds around 55 km/h (15 m/s), are also expected in the southern regions. The weather service urged the public to monitor real-time radar imagery and the latest weather updates.

While the rain and potential thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning, might offer a temporary respite from the heat, a return to muggy conditions is anticipated for Monday. Temperatures are expected to remain close to the seasonal average for now, with daily highs generally ranging from 28 to 32 degrees Celsius and lows between 21 to 24 degrees Celsius. However, after the rain subsides, the perceived temperature in areas like the Seoul metropolitan region, Chungnam, and southern provinces could climb to around 33 degrees Celsius.

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The southern coast is advised to be cautious of damage such as flooding and sewage backup in coastal low-lying areas due to poor drainage during high tide, and to refer to real-time weather radar images and the latest weather information as rainfall amounts can vary greatly within the same region due to the nature of showers.