Up to 100 mm rain to pound southern region over weekend

By Chyung Eun-ju, Park Si-soo

Thunderstorms are forecast to dump up to 100 mm of rain on the southern parts of the Korean Peninsula over the weekend as the annual monsoon season continues for three weeks, the state weather agency said on Friday. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warned people to avoid low-lying and waterfront areas.

The heavy rain is expected as a strap of raincloud hangs over North Gyeongsang Province and North Jeolla Province. Seoul and surrounding regions are expected to be sunny or cloudy with chances of rain lower than 30 percent.

By region, the Chungcheong provinces and North Jeolla Province are expected to have 20 mm to 70 mm of rain, and some parts of North Gyeongsang Province will have up to 100 mm, according to the KMA. Gangwon Province, South Gyeongsang Province and South Jeolla Province are likely to have 5 mm to 40 mm.

After the rain ends, foggy and humid weather is expected to prevail over the peninsula with the mercury hanging around 30 degrees Celsius in Seoul and the surrounding area and Gangwon Province getting 25 degrees to 27 degrees.