South Korea: Cold air, strong wind and scattered rain forecast for 21 October
In short
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that cold air moving south from the northwest would lower temperatures and bring strong wind from the daytime of Wednesday 21 October. Morning lows of 10 to 16 degrees and highs of 15 to 22 degrees were forecast, with rain in places, mostly in the morning.
Read the full story 2 min read
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that on Wednesday 21 October cold air would move south from the northwest from the daytime, lowering temperatures and bringing strong wind that would make it feel colder. Newsis quoted the agency's forecast issued on 20 October. Morning lows were forecast at 10 to 16 degrees and daytime highs at 15 to 22 degrees. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
Rain was forecast in the central region and North Jeolla from late dawn to morning, while rain in the south was to stop at dawn and on Jeju in the morning. Expected rainfall was under 5 mm in Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, the five West Sea islands and inland and mountain Gangwon. Seoul Economic Daily listed about 5 mm for Chungcheong and northern North Gyeongsang, 5 to 30 mm for Gwangju and South Jeolla, 5 to 20 mm for North Jeolla, 5 to 40 mm for Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang, 5 to 20 mm for Daegu and central and southern North Gyeongsang, and 5 to 40 mm for Jeju. [ 3 , 8 ]
Gusts of 70 km/h or more were forecast mainly on the west coast, Jeju, Gangwon mountains and east coast, and the North Gyeongsang east coast, and 90 km/h or more in mountain areas, so strong wind warnings may be issued. Most other areas could see gusts of about 55 km/h. Fine dust was forecast to be good in all regions. [ 3 , 5 ]
Forecast lows and highs in major cities included Seoul 13 and 15 degrees, Busan 17 and 22, Daegu 15 and 19, Gwangju 14 and 18 and Jeju 18 and 22. For South Chungcheong, Newsis reported lows of 11 to 14 degrees and highs of 16 to 19 degrees, with about 5 mm of rain from morning to late morning, and strong wind and high waves in the central West Sea offshore waters, where ships were told to take care. [ 3 , 7 ]
Earlier reports covered rain in Gwangju and South Jeolla. Yonhap said rain that began the previous day had reached 66.5 mm in Naju, 65 mm in Sinan, 63 mm in Yeosu and 54.5 mm in Goheung by 5 a.m., with up to 45 mm more expected. Asia Economy instead said rain would begin on the night of the 19th and total 20 to 60 mm by dawn on the 21st, with the morning low falling to 6 to 10 degrees on the 22nd, 5 to 10 degrees lower than the day before. A weather agency official urged attention to facility safety and health care during the sudden temperature change. [ 1 , 2 ]
Yonhap's 22 October report for Daejeon, Sejong and South Chungcheong said the day would be mostly clear but cold, with highs of 15 to 18 degrees in its headline. [ 11 ]
Why it matters
The coverage is routine weather forecasting. The weather agency's officials urged attention to facility safety and health care during the sudden temperature change, and said strong wind warnings may be issued in some areas.
Key facts
- On Wednesday 21 October, cold air was forecast to move south from the northwest from the daytime, lowering temperatures and bringing strong wind that would make it feel colder, the Korea Meteorological Administration said. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Morning lows were forecast at 10 to 16 degrees and daytime highs at 15 to 22 degrees nationwide; Seoul was forecast at 13 and 15 degrees. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
- Gusts of 70 km/h or more were forecast mainly along the west coast, on Jeju Island, in Gangwon mountains and east coast and on the North Gyeongsang east coast, and 90 km/h or more in mountain areas, so strong wind warnings may be issued. [ 3 , 5 , 6 ]
- Rain was forecast in the central region and North Jeolla from late dawn to morning, with under 5 mm in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
- Forecast rainfall included 5 to 30 mm for Gwangju and South Jeolla, 5 to 40 mm for Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang and 5 to 40 mm for Jeju. [ 8 ]
- Fine dust levels were forecast as good in all regions. [ 3 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The weather agency forecast falling temperatures and strong wind from the daytime of 21 October as cold air moved south from the northwest. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]
- Rain in the south was forecast to stop at dawn and on Jeju in the morning, while rain was expected in the central region and North Jeolla from late dawn to morning. [ 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
Still unclear
- How much rain fell and when it began in Gwangju and South Jeolla. One report said rain began the previous day and gave readings such as 66.5 mm in Naju at 5 a.m., with up to 45 mm more through the 20th; another said rain would start on the night of the 19th and total 20 to 60 mm by dawn on the 21st.
- Whether strong wind warnings were issued. The forecasts said only that warnings were possible.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- On 20 October Newsis reported the weather agency's forecast that cold air would move south from the daytime on 21 October. [ 3 ]
- On 21 October Newsis and Seoul Economic Daily published forecasts for the day, including cold air and strong wind from the daytime. [ 7 , 8 ]
- Drizzle under 0.1 mm was forecast until 3 p.m. in South Jeolla, parts of North Gyeongsang and South Gyeongsang. [ 4 , 8 ]