Intermittent heavy rain to fall nationwide from Labor Day

Following a few days of sunny, warm weather, the Korea Meteorological Administration announced during its press briefing Wednesday that South Korea will see heavy rain nationwide on Labor Day morning.

According to the KMA, as warm air from the south and cold air from the north collide above the Korean Peninsula, heavy rain will fall nationwide from Thursday. The Greater Seoul region -- including Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province -- as well as the inland parts of Gangwon Province, the North and South Chungcheong provinces, South Gyeongsang Province and Jeju Island are forecast to be most impacted.

As rain clouds move further toward the east, nationwide rain will be observed until Thursday night, with some parts of the country seeing rain until the early hours of Friday.

Throughout Thursday, the Greater Seoul region will see total rainfall of up to 50 millimeters, while other parts of the country, such as the North and South Chungcheong provinces, Gangwon Province, Busan and inland parts of Jeju Island, can expect to see total rainfall of up to 40 mm. Mountainous parts of Jeju Island are also expected to see collective rainfall of up to 60 mm on this day, according to the state weather agency.

Between the morning and the afternoon on Thursday, the KMA added that rainfall may exceed 10 mm per hour, accompanied by strong wind gusts, thunder and lightning. Some parts of the country may also see hail, depending on weather and climate conditions.

On Friday, weather conditions are expected to calm. Clear skies are expected nationwide as Korea comes under a migratory anticyclone. However, from Saturday, rain will be observed again in the southern parts of Korea, including the North and South Chungcheong provinces, North and South Jeolla provinces, North and South Gyeongsang provinces and Jeju Island.

The intensity of Saturday’s rain is expected to be weaker compared to Thursday’s rain. In parts of the country where rain is not observed, cloudy skies will persist throughout the day.

Though subject to changes, the KMA added that rain may also be observed on May 5 or Children’s Day in the southern parts of the country, if rain clouds continue to form.

Due to repetitive rain, the KMA added that average nationwide temperatures will be 2 degrees Celsius lower compared to previous years from Thursday until May 7.

On Thursday and Friday, low temperatures are expected to range from 7 C to 16 C and 7 C and 12 C, respectively, while high temperatures are expected to range between 17 C to 25 C and 17 C to 22 C, respectively.