Most heat wave advisories were lifted after showers fell across much of the country on Sunday, but heavier rain is expected to come throughout the week, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
As of 2 p.m., heat wave advisories were lifted for Seoul and neighboring areas, including 26 cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province, as well as Incheon, except for Ongjin County.
In Korea, heat wave advisories, as defined by the KMA, are issued when the highest apparent temperature is expected to reach over 33 degrees Celsius for more than two consecutive days.
Meanwhile, alerts for heavy rainfall continue to spread, mainly in southern parts of the country.
Naju and Jangheung in South Jeolla Province, for example, where more than 30 millimeters of rain fell in an hour, were placed under heavy rain warnings. A heavy rain advisory is issued when more than 90 millimeters of rain is expected to fall in three hours, or over 180 mm in 12 hours.
The weather agency forecast up to 150 millimeters of rain through Tuesday in South Jeolla Province and the inland areas of the southeastern Yeongnam region. Rainfall in southern Gyeonggi Province is expected to reach 20 to 60 millimeters, and 10 to 40 millimeters in northern Gyeonggi Province, Incheon and Seoul.
While the monsoon rains may bring some relief from the heat, high humidity levels may cause temperatures to feel warmer than they actually are, the agency said.
As the rain finally arrived after several scorching days, families and couples at Yeouido Water Light Square were seen joyfully splashing in the water.
Others stayed under Mapo Bridge to escape the rain, cooling off in the refreshing breeze.
Meanwhile, beaches and valleys across the country remained crowded with vacationers despite the rain.
As heavy rain is expected, meteorologist Gong Sang-min at the KMA advised people to avoid approaching rivers or setting up camps nearby, saying "Sudden surges in water levels could occur in areas that had been dry."
cjh@heraldcorp.com
