No Cheoseo magic this year: Summer heat lingers across Korea after traditional seasonal division
Highs of up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) and heat wave alerts will continue across Korea this week, while Typhoon Saudel is not expected to make a direct impact.
A child cools off in the water at Dream Forest in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, on Aug. 23.YONHAP
Daytime highs are set to climb as high as 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) this week, with heat wave warnings in effect across parts of the country, even as Korea enters the traditional end of its summer heat season.
Sunday marks Cheoseo, which is a traditional seasonal divisions of the year, which literally means “the end of heat.” It’s a term used across East Asia to mark seasonal changes, and typically falls in late August.
The country yet remains on the edge of the North Pacific high-pressure system, a mass of hot, humid air that drives Korea's summer heat and typically weakens by this point in the season — bringing occasional clouds and scattered showers nationwide Sunday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.
Strong sunlight broke through the clouds, pushing daytime highs to between 32 and 35 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in Seoul climbed about 6 degrees Celsius from Saturday.
A heat wave advisory was reissued for all of Seoul, while heat wave warnings were in effect for Daegu, Pohang and Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang and southern Sejong.
High humidity made conditions feel even hotter than the actual temperatures. The maximum apparent temperature was expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius across most of the country and around 35 degrees Celsius in parts of the Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang regions as well as Jeju Island.
Visitors enjoy a day out at Space Walk in Hwanho Park in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, on Aug. 22.NEWS1
Temperatures may temporarily fall in areas hit by showers but will rise again after the rain stops amid high humidity.
Southern and northeastern Gyeonggi, inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon, South Chungcheong, western North Jeolla and Jeju Island were expected to receive 5 to 40 millimeters (0.2 to 1.6 inches) of rain Sunday afternoon. Gwangju, South Jeolla and inland western South Gyeongsang was forecast to receive 5 to 30 millimeters.
Some areas could see gusty winds, thunder and lightning during the showers. Rainfall amounts could vary significantly even within the same area, with intense downpours possible over short periods.
Hot weather will continue Monday, with occasional clouds nationwide.
Morning lows are forecast at 22 to 26 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 31 to 35 degrees Celsius. Between the afternoon and evening, inland North Jeolla, Gwangju, South Jeolla, Daegu, inland southern North Gyeongsang and inland western South Gyeongsang could receive 5 to 50 millimeters of showers accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning.
On Tuesday, the central region is forecast to be cloudy, while the southern region and Jeju will be mostly clear. Morning lows will range from 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and daytime highs of 31 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Central regions are expected to remain mostly cloudy on Wednesday, while southern regions and Jeju will be mostly clear. Daytime temperatures are forecast to reach between 28 and 35 degrees Celsius.
People carry umbrellas in the rain at Yeouido Park in western Seoul on Aug. 22.YONHAP
Three active typhoons
Three typhoons — Typhoon Saudel, the season's 18th, Typhoon Narra, the 19th, and Typhoon Gaenari, the 20th — are simultaneously active south of the Korean Peninsula.
Typhoons Narra and Gaenari are far from the peninsula and are expected to weaken into tropical depressions soon.
Typhoon Saudel, the strongest of the three, may affect Korea's weather. As of 9 a.m. Sunday, Saudel was moving west-northwest over waters north-northwest of Guam as an intensity 4 typhoon, with central pressure of 945 hectopascals and maximum winds of 45 meters per second (101 miles per hour). Intensity 4 is the second-highest intensity of the five-tier system, according to KMA.
The typhoon is forecast to pass over waters southeast of Okinawa, Japan, on Monday before reaching waters northeast of Taipei, Taiwan, by Thursday.
People carry parasols to block the sun at Dream Forest in Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, on Aug. 23.YONHAP
The KMA's current projected path keeps Saudel away from the Korean Peninsula, making a direct impact on Korea unlikely for now. However, temperature and rainfall forecasts for later this week could change depending on Saudel's path and the strength and position of the North Pacific high-pressure system.
Cloudy conditions are expected nationwide from Thursday through the weekend. The greater Seoul area and Gangwon are expected to be mostly cloudy Thursday, with partly cloudy skies elsewhere. Cloudy conditions are forecast across the country from Friday through Sunday.
During this period, morning temperatures will range from 19 to 25 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures will reach 28 to 34 degrees Celsius and remain above seasonal averages. Maximum apparent temperatures are expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius across most of the country, and some areas could experience tropical nights, when temperatures remain at or above 25 degrees Celsius overnight.
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.
