Season's first heat wave advisory issued for Seoul
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The air shimmers with heat on the street in Yeouido, central Seoul, Friday, when the midday high rose to 33 degrees Celsius, and the weather agency issued this year’s first heat wave advisory for Seoul. / Yonhap
By Chung Hyun-chae
The nation’s weather agency issued this year’s first heat wave advisory for Seoul, Friday.
Including Seoul, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the advisory at 11 a.m. for some parts of Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces.
A heat wave advisory is issued when a midday high of 33 degrees or more is expected for at least two consecutive days.
Seoul’s temperature rose to 33 degrees Celsius on Friday, and it is forecast to rise to 35 degrees on Saturday.
Dongducheon and Suwon had 34 degrees on Friday, while Cheorwon, Chuncheon and Gwangju had 33 degrees, Daejeon 32 degrees, and Daegu 29 degrees. Most regions will also continue to have temperatures in excess of 30 degrees on Saturday.
The weather agency said the hot and clear weather was due to high atmospheric pressure over the East Sea.
“It is recommended for the elderly and children to avoid outdoor activities and to drink more water than usual at midday,” a KMA official said.
The weather agency expects rain to start on Jeju Island and southwestern regions of the country from Saturday night, affected by typhoon Chan-hom that is likely to land on the southeastern part of China Sunday.
The rain is expected to expand throughout the country on Sunday and continue through Tuesday.
Many parts of the country will see heavy rain and strong winds. Up to 150 millimeters of rain is forecast for Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, South Jeolla provinces and Jeju Island, and 30-80 millimeters in Chungcheong and North Jeolla provinces.
With the rain, temperatures will drop.