After the 'extreme rain'... for the time being, heat and showers will intensify

After the extreme rainfall that struck Gyeongsangnam-do's Geoje, forecasters predict that for the coming days, both heat and showers will intensify nationwide. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) held a regular briefing on the 20th and forecast that "the strong north Pacific high pressure will extend over the Korean Peninsula, resulting in prolonged heat waves and frequent showers."

The impact of the low that brought heavy rain from China and moved southeast is expected to strengthen the typical summer heat in the Korean Peninsula. However, the atmospheric pattern will be highly variable, with a high pressure system passing from north to south and typhoons or tropical storms affecting the periphery, meaning the pressure changes could be significant.

The KMA's analysis suggests that the variability in the pressure system could make forecasting the weather for the coming week challenging. Looking at the short-term forecast, on Friday, the 21st, the southern regions will experience rising temperatures and showers, while the central inland areas of the middle belt may see rainfall.

On Saturday, the 22nd, the boundary could move northward, bringing rain to the Gyeonggi coastal areas, while nationwide heat will continue to intensify. The expected rainfall during this period ranges from 60mm, with regional variations expected to be large. Daytime maximum temperatures may reach 33 degrees Celsius, and heat advisories may be expanded in some areas.

Although the "dawn magic" (23rd) that signals the end of summer heat is expected, it is not likely to hold true. The high variability in the pressure system due to the north Pacific high and southern typhoons or tropical storms means that the weather for the following week is still uncertain. In the medium term forecast, most regions nationwide will see daytime maximum temperatures in the high 30s, with some areas potentially reaching 35 degrees Celsius, indicating continuing heat and rainfall.

However, the KMA notes that the extreme heat levels experienced in early August will not be seen, as the high altitude Tibetan high pressure is weak and the shortening daylight hours will limit sun exposure as summer progresses.