The Korea Meteorological Administration announced that Labor Day rain will sweep across South Korea on Thursday morning. After several days of sunny weather, changing air patterns will cause nationwide rainfall. Warm southern air will clash with cold northern air above the peninsula. This collision will produce heavy rain, especially in central and southern regions. The Labor Day rain will begin early and persist through Thursday night.
The Greater Seoul region, including Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, will receive up to 50 millimeters of rainfall. Central inland areas and Jeju Island will also get significant showers. Jeju’s mountainous zones may see up to 60 millimeters of rainfall. Other locations, such as Gangwon Province and Busan, expect totals near 40 millimeters. The Labor Day rain will hit hardest during the morning and afternoon hours.
Rainfall intensity may surpass 10 millimeters per hour in many regions. Thunder, lightning, and gusty winds will likely accompany the storms. In certain areas, hail could also fall depending on local climate conditions. By Thursday night, rain clouds will move eastward and gradually weaken. Most areas will dry up by early Friday morning.
Clear skies will return on Friday as a migratory anticyclone brings stable conditions. However, Saturday will bring more rain to the southern regions, including Gyeongsang and Jeolla provinces. Jeju Island and the Chungcheong regions will also experience scattered showers. While lighter than Thursday’s storms, these showers may linger throughout the weekend. Cloudy skies will dominate areas without rainfall.
The Labor Day rain and follow-up systems will lower national temperatures. The KMA said the average temperature until May 7 will be 2 degrees lower than usual. On Thursday and Friday, morning temperatures will range from 7 to 16 degrees Celsius. Daytime highs will stay between 17 and 25 degrees on Thursday, and 17 to 22 on Friday. Rain may return on May 5, especially in southern Korea, if conditions stay favorable.
