Cooler autumn weather will set in from Friday as the North Pacific high-pressure system that brought the recent heat wave retreats, South Korea's weather agency said. Rain is expected in parts of Jeju and the eastern coast of Gangwon Province over the weekend.
As the North Pacific high moves eastward, a high-pressure system to the north of the Korean Peninsula is expanding, the Korea Meteorological Administration said on the 3rd. Cool, dry easterly winds flowing along the edge of that system will take the edge off the heat. Humidity is also expected to fall, further easing how hot it feels.
Morning lows on Friday, the 4th, are forecast at 17 to 24 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs of 25 to 32 degrees. Heat wave advisories across most of the country will be lifted from Friday afternoon. Temperatures will vary by region, however. In Gangneung and other areas along the east coast, where the easterly winds arrive directly, daytime highs will stay near 25 degrees, while western areas such as Gwangju will climb to 30 degrees.
The easterly winds will gradually strengthen as the pressure gap widens between the high-pressure system north of the peninsula and the low-pressure system to the south. Strong gusts are possible around the southern coast and Jeju's mountainous areas in particular, requiring care in securing outdoor structures. High waves will build in the South Sea and waters off Jeju for the time being, and strong swells may reach the coast.
Skies will be mostly clear nationwide over the weekend under the influence of the northern high-pressure system, but rain clouds will develop along the eastern coast of Gangwon and on Jeju as easterly winds hit mountainous terrain. On Sunday, the 6th, rain will fall on Jeju as moisture flows in from the south.
Clear skies will continue into next week in most areas outside eastern Gangwon and Jeju. With surface heat escaping quickly overnight, morning temperatures will drop below 20 degrees in a growing number of places. Daily temperature swings are also expected to widen, calling for attention to health.
Typhoon Krovanh, the season's 24th, is currently located south of the Korean Peninsula. But with the high-pressure system to the north expanding strongly, Krovanh is expected to turn southeast rather than track north to the peninsula.
