Seoul sees first heavy rain advisory of year as intense showers, strong winds, lightning and hail batter capital region
The Korea Meteorological Administration warned that unstable atmospheric conditions will keep bringing downpours, gusts and possible hail to central regions through Sunday night.
Seoul was placed under a heavy rain advisory for the first time this year as intense showers swept through the capital, while strong wind advisories were also issued for parts of the greater Seoul area.
A heavy rain advisory took effect at 3 p.m. on Sunday for northeastern and northwestern Seoul, northern Incheon, Bucheon in Gyeonggi and Wanju County in North Jeolla, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Strong wind advisories were also issued for northeastern and northwestern Seoul. The wind advisories are expected to be lifted after 6 p.m., the KMA said.
A heavy rain advisory is issued when rainfall of more than 60 millimeters (2.4 inches) is expected within three hours or more than 110 millimeters within 12 hours. A strong wind advisory is issued when average wind speeds of at least 14 meters (46 feet) per second or gusts of at least 20 meters per second are forecast.
Shower clouds developed across most parts of the country, excluding the east coast, on Sunday afternoon, bringing heavy rain to many areas.
Some regions, including Seoul, recorded downpours of around 30 millimeters per hour accompanied by strong gusts, thunder and lightning.
In Seongbuk District, central Seoul, rainfall of about 25 millimeters per hour was observed. Parts of central Seoul’s Jongno District experienced temporary power outages as heavy rain and lightning moved through the area. Hailstones measuring more than 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter were reported in some locations.
The atmospheric instability had intensified due to the interaction between cold, dry air over the Korean Peninsula and the heated land surface during the day, the KMA said.
Cold air of around minus 15 degrees Celsius (5 degrees Fahrenheit) moved into the upper atmosphere at an altitude of about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles). This widened the temperature gap between the upper and lower air layers and caused rain clouds to develop rapidly.
The KMA forecast that strong showers accompanied by gusty winds, thunder and lightning would continue through Sunday night, mainly in central regions, except for Gangwon's east coast and southern regions, excluding Busan, Ulsan and the east coast of North Gyeongsang.
Rain is expected to persist until around midnight in southeastern Gyeonggi and the southern inland areas of Gangwon.
In some areas, rainfall is expected to exceed 60 millimeters. The KMA also warned that showers could bring downpours of around 30 millimeters per hour, along with hail.
“Visibility may decrease sharply and roads may become slippery in areas affected by showers,” KMA said. “Drivers are advised to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles and drive slower to ensure traffic safety.”
Scattered showers of around 5 to 10 millimeters are also forecast for inland areas of the Yeongnam region on Monday. Yeongnam covers the southeastern cities of Busan, Daegu and Ulsan, as well as North and South Gyeongsang.
Daytime high temperatures are expected to remain around 30 degrees Celsius for the time being, with frequent showers driven by atmospheric instability likely to continue, according to KMA.
BY BAE JAE-SUNG [[email protected]]
