South Korea faces heatwave inland as eastern coast battered by heavy rain

South Korea is currently experiencing a stark weather contrast, with most inland areas grappling with a severe heatwave while the eastern coast is being hit by heavy rainfall. On Sunday, August 9th, many regions across the country remained under heatwave advisories, with daytime temperatures expected to reach around 34 degrees Celsius in major cities like Seoul and Daejeon. The heat is particularly intense, with perceived temperatures potentially soaring to 35 degrees Celsius or higher in outdoor settings and many areas experiencing tropical nights where temperatures do not drop significantly overnight.

In contrast, the eastern coastal areas, including the Gangwon and Gyeongbuk provinces, along with Busan and Ulsan, are forecast to receive significant rainfall. Some parts of the Gangwon and Gyeongbuk eastern coasts and mountains could see hourly precipitation rates of 20 to 30 millimeters, with accumulated rainfall potentially exceeding 80 millimeters in some locations. Jeju Island is also expected to experience rain, particularly in its mountainous and central regions.

Inland areas are not entirely spared from precipitation, as scattered showers are predicted to develop from the afternoon onwards. These showers could be accompanied by strong gusts of wind, thunder, and lightning, especially in parts of Gyeonggi, Chungbuk, Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Gwangju, and northern Jeonnam. The Korea Meteorological Administration advises caution for those working outdoors due to the high perceived temperatures.

Despite the varied weather conditions, air quality across the nation is expected to remain at a "good" level, with fine dust concentrations being minimal. The forecast indicates that temperatures will remain above the seasonal average for the time being, with nighttime lows generally between 21-25 degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 28-32 degrees Celsius.