Warm temperatures, 'bad' ultrafine dust levels expected over weekend

For the first time since temperatures fell below freezing in recent weeks, warm daytime temperatures reaching 13 degrees Celsius can be expected over the weekend in South Korea, the Korea Meteorological Administration said Friday.

According to the KMA, average daytime temperatures nationwide are expected to range between 7 C and 13 C, about 1 C to 3 C above average this time of year.

On Saturday, Seoul and Incheon in the Greater Seoul region can expect daytime temperatures to reach as high as 9 C and 8 C, respectively. Daegu and Busan can expect highs reaching 11 C.

The temperature changes are due to an expansion of the migratory anticyclone from the west of the Korean peninsula on Friday as well as warm westerly winds blowing into the country.

However, as the high-pressure system moves east, it is expected to impact the low-pressure system lingering in southern regions of Korea. Along the southern coast of the Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces, rainfall of 5 to 10 millimeters is expected to fall overnight Saturday until early Sunday morning. Jeju Island may see rainfall between 10 and 40 mm over the same period.

Though subject to change, the KMA added that central parts of Korea, which includes the Greater Seoul region, the Chungcheong provinces and Gangwon Province, may see light rain or snow on Sunday if rain clouds move north.

While the average daily concentration of ultrafine dust on Friday is expected to be at “moderate” levels, the density of ultrafine dust particles in some parts of Korea, including the Greater Seoul region and the Chungcheong provinces, are forecast to remain at “bad” levels until Saturday due to atmospheric stagnation of fine dust generated domestically and flowing in from abroad.

As the Korean Peninsula falls under the influence of a continental high-pressure system from the north, temperatures are expected to fall again from Monday. Between Feb. 17 and 23, average morning lows nationwide are expected to range between minus 10 C to 0 C, while daytime temperatures are expected to range from 0 C to 9 C, which is 2 C to 4 C lower than average in recent years.