Rain Across the Country Until the 1st... 300mm in Jeju Mountains, 120mm in Northern Gyeonggi

Typhoon Songda Weakens to Tropical Depression After Passing Shanghai, China Early 1st
Rain Across the Country Until 1st, Jeju 30-50mm per Hour Until Noon on 31st
Heavy Rain Expected in Southern Regions from Early 31st to Early 1st
Intense Rain in Central Regions from Afternoon 31st to Morning 1st
Waves Up to 5m Near Jeju, Beware of Swell Waves

On the 29th, as the relentless heatwave continues day and night, citizens visiting the Yeouido Hangang Swimming Pool in Seoul are cooling off by playing in the water. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Due to the influence of Typhoon Songda, the 5th typhoon of the season, heavy rain is expected across the country from the 30th to the 1st. Mountainous areas of Jeju Island are expected to receive over 300mm of rain, while northern Gyeonggi, the West Coast, and northern Gyeongbuk are forecasted to receive more than 120mm.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) held an ad-hoc briefing on the 30th, forecasting that Typhoon Songda will weaken into a tropical depression between the night of the 31st and the 1st. As the typhoon weakens into a tropical depression and warm, humid air moving northward with the typhoon affects the region, Jeju Island will experience another round of heavy rain, and most parts of the country will see significant rainfall through the 1st and 2nd.

Forecaster Lee Kwang-yeon explained, "Typhoon Songda will pass through the southern offshore waters of Jeju today, then fail to move westward near the Shanghai area of China on the 31st, turning northward instead. It will weaken into a tropical depression between the night of the 31st and the night of the 1st. Due to the weakened tropical depression, warm and humid air will be pushed into South Korea, causing heavy rain across the country until the 1st."

From the 30th to the 1st, rainfall amounts are expected to be over 300mm in Jeju's mountainous areas, over 250mm near the southern coast and Jirisan, 50-150mm across Jeju Island, and 50-100mm in Jeonnam and Gyeongnam regions. Particularly, northern Gyeonggi, the West Coast of Gyeonggi, and northern Gyeongbuk are expected to receive more than 120mm of rain. Additionally, central regions, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk are forecasted to receive 30-80mm, and Gangwon Yeongdong about 10-60mm of rain.

Rain has already started in Jeju and the southern coastal areas and is expected to continue until the 2nd. In central regions, rain will begin between the night of the 30th and early morning of the 31st, lasting as long as until the 2nd. Although the rain will temporarily ease the heatwave, the influx of warm and humid air means the heat will not be fully relieved all at once.

The peak rainfall times are expected to be until noon on the 31st for Jeju, from early morning of the 31st to early morning of the 1st for southern regions, and from afternoon of the 31st to morning of the 1st for central regions. Rainfall rates will exceed 30-50mm per hour, and the duration of rainfall will be long. As warm and humid air flows in, rain clouds will develop, and since the timing of cloud development varies by region, peak rainfall times will differ significantly across areas.

Forecaster Lee added, "Heavy rain exceeding 120mm is expected mainly in northern Gyeonggi and the West Coast of Gyeonggi because warm and humid air rising from the south converges with existing subtropical air. Depending on the path of Songda, the convergence zone may shift north or south, so residents in the metropolitan area should frequently check weather information."

As of 3 PM on the day, Typhoon Songda is moving northwest at 72 km/h about 330 km north-northeast of Shanghai, China, with a central pressure of 996 hPa. It is expected to weaken into a tropical depression while passing about 290 km southeast of Qingdao, China, at 3 AM on the 1st.

Currently, Jeju Island is experiencing rain and strong winds due to the indirect influence of the typhoon, but inland areas are under heatwave warnings. Until noon on the 30th, coastal areas of Jeju experienced gusts approaching 30 m/s, and more than 100mm of rain fell in Jeju's mountainous areas within a day.

Very high waves up to 5 meters are occurring in the seas near Jeju Island, and many places along Jeju and the southern coast are experiencing swell waves, so caution is advised. Since strong rain of 30-50mm per hour is expected in Jeju until the 31st, special care should be taken when camping or visiting valleys.

Forecaster Lee said, "Although strong and heavy rain has already fallen in Jeju, stronger and heavier rain is expected as dense clouds move in. Swell waves appear calm from afar but rise sharply near the coast, so special caution is needed when engaging in activities near the coast in Jeju and some southern coastal areas. It is also important to check ship navigation information in advance."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.