The Lingering Heat Is Finally Receding as Temperatures and Humidity Fall This Weekend

The late-summer heat that has lingered across South Korea is finally expected to ease this weekend as cooler, drier air moves in from the north.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said on Sept. 3 that the country would come under the influence of a northern high-pressure system, bringing lower temperatures and humidity. The hot, humid air that had prolonged the seasonal heat will gradually give way to cooler air containing less moisture.

“

For the time being, under the influence of the northern high-pressure system, temperatures and humidity will fall further.

Recent heavy rain and continued heat had formed along the boundary between water vapor pulled north by the North Pacific high and cold air from the north. From Sept. 4, however, the North Pacific high is expected to retreat eastward. Cooler, drier air will then flow toward the country on easterly winds along the edge of the northern high-pressure system.

“

As the hot and humid air changes to cooler air with less water vapor, the heat people feel will ease.

Forecast analyst Gong Sang-min said the change in air mass would reduce the heat people feel. He said the pattern, described as “high pressure in the north and low pressure in the south,” would continue for some time, bringing morning temperatures below 20°C to more areas and keeping daytime temperatures below 30°C in more regions.

Most heat-wave advisories were expected to be lifted from the afternoon of Sept. 3. Forecasts for Sept. 4 called for morning lows of 17°C to 24°C and afternoon highs of 25°C to 32°C. The weekend should be mostly clear nationwide, although the east coast and Jeju, where easterly winds will arrive directly, may see more clouds and some rain. Temperatures and humidity are expected to continue falling next week.

“

For the time being, this high-pressure system in the north and low-pressure system in the south will remain, increasing the number of areas with morning temperatures below 20°C and daytime temperatures not exceeding 30°C.