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Warm spring weather, dust-free skies likely to continue through weekend

Published: 23 Apr. 2026, 18:45

Flowers bloom in Jeju Island on April 17. [YONHAP]

Warm spring weather is expected to continue through the weekend with dust-free skies, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on Thursday.

“Temperatures will gradually rise under clear skies, and the air will become dry,” KMA forecast analyst Lee Chang-jae said in a briefing. “It will remain warm through the weekend with large day-to-night differences.”

Daytime highs are expected to reach around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), driven by strong sunshine. In Seoul, daytime temperatures are forecast to range from 24 to 25 degrees Celsius over the weekend.

“People engaging in outdoor activities should take care of their health by staying hydrated and using shade,” Lee added.

Nighttime temperatures could drop sharply to around 5 degrees Celsius due to radiational cooling, making it feel chilly.

The temperature gap between day and night is expected to widen to around 20 degrees Celsius, especially in inland areas.

Strong winds accompanying the cooler temperatures could cause small sparks to spread into large fires, the KMA cautioned.

Flowers for the International Horticulture Goyang Korea 2026, held from Friday through May 10, in Ilsan Lake Park in Goyang, Gyeonggi [YONHAP]

Another low-pressure system is forecast to pass south of Jeju Island again on Sunday, bringing possible rain to Jeju Island and the eastern parts of the Gyeongsang region.

From Monday afternoon, rain is forecast mainly across central regions as a low-pressure system approaches from the north, following a high-pressure system moving out. The timing of the rain could be delayed depending on the system's strength.

Next week, temperatures are expected to fall back to seasonal averages, with daytime highs around 20 degrees Celsius and morning lows near 10 degrees Celsius.

Air quality is also expected to improve as the yellow dust that blanketed the country clears. The National Institute of Environmental Research's Air Quality Forecasting Center forecasted that fine dust levels would decrease as clean easterly winds flow in and atmospheric conditions improve.

On Friday, fine dust levels may temporarily rise in parts of the capital region during the morning and night, but most areas are expected to maintain clean air.

Over the weekend, smooth atmospheric dispersion is expected to keep ultrafine dust levels low nationwide, creating favorable conditions for outdoor spring activities.

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.
BY CHON KWON-PIL [[email protected]]