South Korea is expected to feel more like early summer than mid-spring this weekend, with daytime temperatures climbing to 29 degrees Celsius in Seoul and other inland regions.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, daytime highs are forecast to reach up to 28 C on Saturday, rising even higher to 29 C on Sunday, well into T-shirt weather.
Clear skies are expected in Seoul, while Jeju Island and southern regions are likely to see rain starting Friday.
Despite the warm afternoons, mornings and evenings will still feel cool. The weather agency warns of large temperature swings, with daily gaps of around 15 degrees in inland regions and up to around 20 degrees in inland central areas.
The KMA explains that the unseasonably warm weather is driven by a pressure pattern where high pressure sits over northern areas and low pressure lingers to the south. This setup allows relatively warm easterly winds to flow in, pushing temperatures higher, particularly west of the Taebaek Mountains.
Inland central regions, including Greater Seoul, have seen especially sharp increases in daytime temperatures due to strong sunshine under clear skies. Air descending from the mountains becomes warmer and drier, further amplifying heat in inland areas. In contrast, southern regions and Jeju Island have experienced relatively limited temperature rises at times due to cloud cover associated with low pressure.
Summer-like temperatures are expected to ease slightly next week. From Monday through the following weekend, morning temperatures are forecast at 7-14 C, with daytime highs of 17-26 C.
The KMA said that while temperatures next week will generally be lower than this week, they will remain around or slightly above seasonal averages.
tammy@heraldcorp.com
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