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Rice harvesting gets underway in a paddy field in Jukdong-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan, on the 3rd, four days ahead of Baengno (White Dew). / Yonhap

Starting this Friday, the sweltering heat is expected to recede and give way to autumn weather as the North Pacific High retreats. While daytime temperatures will remain high through next week, the influx of dry air is expected to keep the weather from feeling muggy. Due to the influence of Typhoon Krovanh located south of South Korea, strong winds will blow across most parts of the country for the time being.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 3rd, the North Pacific High, which had been situated over the Korean Peninsula until recently, is gradually receding while cold and dry air from the north moves south. As the North Pacific High carrying hot and humid air shifts eastward, high pressure from the north will expand its influence toward the Korean Peninsula. Consequently, clear and cool weather will prevail across most regions.

Temperatures are projected to gradually return to average levels (lows of 17 to 22 degrees, highs of 26 to 30 degrees). On Friday the 4th, morning lows are forecast between 17 and 24 degrees and daytime highs between 25 and 32 degrees. On Saturday the 5th, morning lows are expected to be 16 to 23 degrees and daytime highs 24 to 31 degrees, while Sunday the 6th will see 17 to 23 degrees and 23 to 29 degrees. Heat wave advisories currently in effect across South Jeolla, South Gyeongsang, and the Jeju coast are also anticipated to be lifted during the day.

However, rain is forecast for parts of the Gangwon East Coast and Jeju over the weekend. A pressure pattern of "high to the north and low to the south" has formed, with high pressure north of the Korean Peninsula and low pressure, including the 24th typhoon of the season, Krovanh, to the south. Strong easterly winds will blow where the two pressure systems meet, bringing occasional rain to the East Coast and Jeju Island where the easterly flow directly enters.

Nevertheless, because the high-pressure system to the north is strong, the typhoon will not be able to track far enough north to exert a direct hit on the country.

With the high-north, low-south pressure system lingering for the time being, strong winds are anticipated nationwide. This is because the pressure gradient will steepen as the northern high and Typhoon Krovanh draw closer. Jeju will see strong winds with instantaneous wind speeds exceeding 55 km/h (70 km/h in mountainous areas) starting tonight, and remaining areas will experience them from the morning of the 4th.

The KMA explained, "As the air transitions to being cool with low moisture content, the perceived heat will ease. However, as peripheral pressure systems form from the typhoon's cyclonic rotation, high seas warnings are likely to be issued."

                                                                                                          Kim Hong-chan