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Heavy rain expected to sweep across Korea from Monday night

Published: 24 May. 2026, 17:21

A pedestrian walks under heavy rain in Jongno District, central Seoul, in September 2025. [YONHAP]

Heavy rain is expected to sweep across Korea starting Monday night, with downpours of up to 50 millimeters (2 inches) per hour expected in the southern regions on Tuesday. Authorities are already on high alert for possible flood damage despite the early season.

A low-pressure system moving east from central China will deliver rain to Jeju Island during the day on Monday before spreading to the Jeolla region and the western part of South Gyeongsang that night, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Sunday.

Rain will reach Chungcheong and North Gyeongsang before dawn on Tuesday and spread to the entire country, including Seoul, by the morning.

With southerly winds pumping moisture into the peninsula, the south is expected to see the highest levels of rain. Rainfall could reach around 50 millimeters per hour in Jeju's mountain areas from Monday night through Tuesday afternoon and on the south coast and Mount Jiri on Tuesday, with cumulative totals possibly topping 250 millimeters.

Other southern regions are forecast to receive 30 to 50 millimeters of rain per hour, while the central region, including the Seoul metropolitan area, is expected to see 20 to 30 millimeters. Forecasted rainfall totals from Monday through Tuesday range from 30 to 80 millimeters in Seoul and other parts of the central region, as well as Daegu and North Gyeongsang; 50 to 100 millimeters in Gwangju, South Jeolla, Busan and South Gyeongsang; and 80 to 150 millimeters along the south coast and near Mount Jiri.

Thunder, lightning and strong winds are also likely in areas where rain falls.

“With significant moisture pouring into the southern region, rainfall there will be even more intense,” a KMA official said. “We urge people to take care regarding facility management, safety precautions and crop protection to prevent damage.”

The Jogye Temple in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Buddha's Birthday on May 24 [YONHAP]

Rain is expected to ease starting from the central region on Wednesday. The central and Jeolla regions will see rain until dawn, and Gyeongsang and Jeju until the morning. Eastern Gangwon, the eastern coast and the northeastern mountain areas of North Gyeongsang will see rain until midday.

The downpours will also bring a temporary break from the heat. On Monday, the substitute holiday for Buddha's Birthday, Seoul's daytime high will climb to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) but drop to 24 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

No further rain is expected for the time being after Wednesday. Mostly clear skies are forecast nationwide through next weekend, with morning temperatures of 12 to 19 degrees Celsius and daytime highs of 24 to 29 degrees Celsius, near 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.
BY CHON KWON-PIL [[email protected]]