Scorching heat continues across nation; heavy rains forecast on eastern coast

Foreign tourists dressed in fusion hanbok use parasols to shield themselves from the sun at Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Thursday. All programs related to the royal palace guards, including standing guard duty at the palace have been suspended due to the extreme heat. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Most parts of Korea were forecast to be sweltering under an extreme heat wave, as blistering heat was expected to continue with daytime highs as high as 37 degrees Celsius, according to the state weather service Saturday.

Heavy rain of up to 100 millimeters (mm) is expected for parts of the east coast and mountainous regions of Gangwon Province, while the greater capital area and the central regions will also receive up to 40 mm of scattered showers from the afternoon, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

Temperatures are expected to temporarily ease in areas affected by the downpour, but the heat and humidity will return once the rain stops, it added.

Daytime highs were forecast at 26 to 37 degrees Celsius, with temperatures reaching up to 35 degrees Celsius in the Seoul metropolitan area and 36 degrees Celsius in the central city of Daejeon.

The Korea Road Traffic Authority said it will temporarily scale back or suspend driving tests amid the prolonged heat wave, citing concerns over heat-related illnesses among test takers and staff.