Sweltering, muggy heat will persist on the 23rd, which falls on Cheoseo — a point in the traditional Korean calendar that is supposed to mark the end of summer heat. The Korea Meteorological Administration attributed the conditions to a steady flow of hot, humid air along the edge of the North Pacific high-pressure system.
Morning lows will range from 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and daytime highs from 30 to 35 degrees, far above the seasonal norms of 19 to 23 degrees in the morning and 27 to 31 degrees in the afternoon, the KMA said.
Heat warnings are in effect across the Chungcheong region, southern areas and Jeju Island. The highest apparent temperatures will climb to around 33 degrees in most of the country and around 35 degrees in the south, making conditions extremely uncomfortable.
Tropical nights, when temperatures stay above 25 degrees overnight, will occur in many areas, so people should take special care to guard against heat-related illnesses.
Atmospheric instability will bring showers of 5 to 40 millimeters to southern Gyeonggi Province, South Chungcheong Province and the western part of North Jeolla Province. Rainfall of 5 to 30 millimeters is also forecast for Jeju Island's mid-mountain and mountainous areas.
Rain or showers may cause a temporary drop in temperatures, but humidity is expected to rise after the rain stops, sharply pushing up the discomfort index.
Strong swells will push in along the coast of South Jeolla Province, the southern coast of the South Gyeongsang region and Jeju Island's shores for the time being, with some waves washing over breakwaters and rocky shorelines, so people should avoid approaching the coast.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Saudel, the season's 18th typhoon, is currently moving north-northwest and is expected to reach waters near Okinawa, Japan, around the 27th. The possibility that it will move up toward the Korean Peninsula cannot be ruled out.
