Rainfall to sweep through country, cool off untimely heat

Rain showers nationwide on Monday are expected to cool off the weekend’s unseasonable summer-like weather.

A child cools off from the heat at a fountain in Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on Sunday, as midday highs reached as high as 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital. [JUN MIN-KYU]

Rain showers nationwide on Monday are expected to cool off the weekend’s unseasonable summer-like weather.

The rain is forecast to hit Jeju Island on Sunday night and sweep across the peninsula, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

On Sunday, Korea saw midday highs hovering around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), marking a record-breaking temperature for April in the country.

Seoul's midday highs reached as high as 29.4 degrees Celsius, well above the annual average of 20.5 degrees.

In Gangwon’s Chuncheon, temperatures peaked at 30.3 degrees Celsius, while Daejeon recorded 29.1 degrees Celsius. The unprecedented heat wave was attributed to warm southerly winds sweeping into the country throughout the weekend.

As low-pressure air masses approach the peninsula from the south, bringing rain, temperatures are projected to slightly dip on Monday. However, morning lows are expected to remain relatively warm, ranging between 12 to 18 degrees Celsius, with midday highs ranging from 17 to 21 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall is set to begin on Jeju Island Sunday night, progressively spreading to encompass the greater Seoul area, South Chungcheong, Jeolla and South Gyeongsang by Monday morning.

The greater Seoul area, including Incheon and Gyeonggi, is expected to receive between 5 to 40 millimeters (0.2 to 1.6 inches) of rain through Tuesday. Jeju Island is forecast to see up to 100 millimeters of rain over the same period, while South Jeolla and South Gyeongsang anticipate 20 to 60 millimeters. Gangwon and Chungcheong regions may see up to 30 millimeters of precipitation.

The KMA warned of heavy rain accompanied by strong gusts, thunder and lightning near Jeju and the south coast. The rain is anticipated to cease by Tuesday, which will push temperatures back up when high-pressure air masses return. From Wednesday through April 24, the mercury nationwide is expected to remain similar to or higher than average annual temperatures.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]