Heavy rain, strong winds hit Korea ahead of summer solstice
Rain, strong gusts and possible travel disruptions are forecast across much of the country through the weekend, with the heaviest downpours expected in Gangwon.
Pedestrians with umbrellas run as rain falls in Myeongdong, central Seoul, on June 20.YONHAP
Rain and strong winds swept across most parts of the country Saturday, a day ahead of the summer solstice, prompting authorities to urge caution over potential safety hazards and damage to facilities.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that the rain falling nationwide under the influence of a stationary front and a low-pressure system is expected to continue through Saturday evening, though precipitation is likely to ease in many areas in the afternoon.
Some areas in the Seoul metropolitan region, central Korea and northern North Gyeongsang are expected to see rain continue until late at night, while precipitation is forecast to persist through Sunday morning in mountainous areas and coastal regions of Gangwon.
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From 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday, accumulated rainfall reached 137.5 millimeters (5.4 inches) on Mount Halla on Jeju Island, 94 millimeters in Sangju in North Gyeongsang, 88 millimeters in Gongju, South Chungcheong, 81 millimeters in Samcheok, Gangwon, 64.5 millimeters in Boseong, South Jeolla, 60 millimeters in Seoul and 40.5 millimeters in Incheon.
Heavy rain advisories are in effect for mountainous areas of Gangwon, as well as Gongju and Cheongyang in South Chungcheong and Sangju, Yeongju, Yeongdeok and the lowland areas of Uljin County in North Gyeongsang.
Mountainous and coastal areas of Gangwon are expected to receive the heaviest rainfall, with 50 to 120 millimeters forecast. Northern mountainous areas could see more than 200 millimeters of rain, while central mountainous regions and the central and northern east coast may receive over 150 millimeters.
Rainfall of 30 to 80 millimeters is forecast for the Seoul metropolitan area, inland Gangwon, Daegu, North Gyeongsang and Ulleung Island and Dokdo. The Chungcheong region, North Jeolla, Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang are expected to receive 20 to 60 millimeters, while Gwangju, South Jeolla and Jeju are forecast to see 5 to 40 millimeters.
Areas near Mount Jiri and the midmountain and mountainous regions of Jeju could receive more than 80 millimeters of rain.
Heavy downpours of 20 to 50 millimeters per hour are expected through Saturday morning in northern mountainous areas of Gangwon and parts of the Gyeongsang region. Mountainous and coastal areas of Gangwon are likely to continue experiencing heavy rain of 20 to 30 millimeters per hour after the morning.
The KMA warned that strong gusts, thunder and lightning may accompany the rainfall, urging residents to exercise caution.
Coastal areas of Jeolla and South Gyeongsang, as well as Jeju, are expected to experience strong winds with gusts exceeding 70 kilometers per hour (45 miles per hour) through Friday afternoon. Mountainous areas of Gangwon could see gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour.
Other regions are also forecast to experience winds with gusts of around 55 kilometers per hour.
Cruise tourists holding umbrellas are seen exiting the Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Terminal on Jeju Island on June 19 as a heavy rain advisory was issued for the area.YONHAP
As of Saturday morning, strong wind advisories were in effect across all of Jeju. High wave advisories have also been issued for waters off the island, and Jeju International Airport recorded a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 21.4 meters (70.2 feet) per second.
"Strong winds could disrupt flight operations, so travelers are advised to check flight information in advance," a KMA official said.
At sea, gusty winds, thunder and lightning are expected mainly over the South Sea and East Sea.
Saturday morning temperatures stood at 20.6 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit) in Seoul, 21.9 degrees in Incheon and Daejeon, 23.8 degrees in Gwangju, 23.5 degrees in Daegu and Ulsan and 22.7 degrees in Busan.
Daytime highs are expected to range between 22 and 30 degrees Celsius, remaining near or slightly below seasonal averages.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
