Autumn rains and gusty winds to sweep across Korea on Friday

Autumn rains are expected to sweep across the country on Friday, accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning.

People with umbrellas walk at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Friday. [NEWS1]

Autumn rains are expected to sweep across the country on Friday, accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning.

Friday is also forecast to be cloudy and windy nationwide, with wind speeds reaching up to 55 kilometers per hour (34 miles per hour). Daytime highs are expected to range from 18 to 27 degrees Celsius (64 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit).

Jeju Island and parts of South Chungcheong have already started experiencing rain since 8 a.m., with a heavy rain advisory currently in effect for mountainous areas of Jeju.

Rainfall is expected to continue until Saturday for most regions, except Jeju, where it will likely last until early Sunday morning.

Most regions will see 20 to 30 millimeters of rain per hour until Saturday morning. The southern coast of South Gyeongsang could experience heavier downpours, ranging from 30 to 50 millimeters per hour.

After the rain subsides on Saturday, cold air from the north will move in during the afternoon, leading to a significant drop in temperatures.

Daytime temperatures will fall to between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday morning, temperatures will hover in the low teens nationwide, with inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon dipping below 5 degrees.

Starting Saturday, winds are expected to strengthen, with gusts over 70 kilometers per hour along the coast and Jeju, and between 55 and 70 kilometers per hour in other areas.

At this time of year, sea levels tend to rise due to the Earth’s proximity to the Moon. A low-pressure system will further raise seawater levels, resulting in particularly high tides on Friday and Saturday.

Low-lying coastal areas, especially along the west and south coasts, are at risk of flooding during these high tides. If heavy rain coincides with the tides, the potential for damage increases significantly, so it’s important to prepare in advance.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]