Disappointing Jangma... More Rain Fell After This Summer's Jangma Ended

284.1mm Rainfall During Monsoon Season < 335.2mm After Monsoon
More Than Half of Summer Rain in Central Region Falls After Monsoon
Heavy Rain in Early August as Stationary Front Stays Over Central Region
First Tropical Night in June Since Records Began, Due to North Pacific High Expansion

On the 9th, when record-breaking heavy rain fell mainly in the central region including Seoul, Yeouido Hangang Park was submerged in water. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] This summer, contrary to expectations, more rain fell after the monsoon season ended. In particular, more than half of the summer rainfall in the central region occurred after the monsoon.

On the 7th, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced the climate analysis results for the summer season (June to August). The rainfall from the end of the monsoon season to the end of August was recorded at 335.2mm. Rainfall after the monsoon accounted for 49.8% of the total summer rainfall (672.8mm). This summer's monsoon rainfall was 284.1mm, less than the average (356.7mm), making up only 42.2% of the total summer rainfall.

Especially from August 8 to 11, a stationary front lingered over the central region causing significant damage, with the highest hourly rainfall recorded at 141.5mm at the KMA station in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

The summer rainfall in the central region was 941.3mm, of which 52.8% (496.7mm) fell after the monsoon season. Compared to the average summer rainfall in the central region (759.6mm) and post-monsoon rainfall (317.6mm), the amount was significantly higher, greatly exceeding the national summer rainfall average (672.8mm).

On the 9th, when record-breaking heavy rain fell in Seoul and the central region, the basement of the Jinheung Apartment shopping mall in Seocho-gu, Seoul was flooded, and water was being pumped out./Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

This year, the monsoon started in Jeju on June 21 and ended on July 24. The monsoon began in the central and southern regions on June 23 and ended on July 25.

The average temperature this summer was 24.5°C, 0.8°C higher than the average (23.7°C). The North Pacific High expanded westward more than usual, resulting in higher temperatures than average, especially from late June to early July, which recorded the highest temperatures on record. The average temperature in late June was 25.7°C, and in early July, it was 27.1°C, 3.3°C and 3.7°C higher than the average, respectively.

This summer, tropical nights occurred for the first time in June since observations began. The nationwide number of tropical nights in June was 1.2 days, the highest on record, with tropical nights recorded at 14 locations including Seoul, Suwon, and Chuncheon. Previously, the earliest recorded tropical night was on July 2, 1978. The total number of tropical nights was 12.9 days, the fourth highest on record. The number of heatwave days was 10.3, similar to the average (10.7 days).

On the 15th, as hot and humid weather continues nationwide, the artificial waterfall at Yongma Waterfall Park in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, is pouring out a refreshing stream of water. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued heatwave warnings for most areas, and tropical nights are expected in many places at night, indicating that the relentless heat will persist throughout this week. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

This summer, the sea surface temperature around Korea was 23.9°C, the second highest since 1997, following 2021. In July, the North Pacific High temporarily expanded, and the average sea surface temperature reached 25.0°C, 2°C higher than the average of the past 10 years. On July 6, the sea surface temperature was recorded at 3.6°C above average. The average sea surface temperature in August was 26.4°C, 0.4°C higher than the recent 10-year average (26°C).

In August, sea temperatures in the West Sea (26.4°C) and South Sea (27.2°C) were 1.3°C and 0.4°C higher than the recent 10-year averages, respectively. In the East Sea (25.2°C), a cold water mass formed due to southerly winds, causing the sea temperature, which had been higher than the West Sea over the past decade, to drop by 1.2°C this year.

Yoo Hee-dong, head of the Korea Meteorological Administration, said, "This summer showed clear climate variability with early tropical nights starting simultaneously with the monsoon season and record-breaking heavy rains after the monsoon. Amid the climate crisis, we will strengthen monitoring of climate change and do our best to produce useful climate forecast information for the public."

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