On Wednesday the 24th, the skies across the country will take on different looks by region. The central region will see intermittent clouds, while the southern region and Jeju Island will have scattered rain showers. Daytime temperatures will rise to around 30 degrees Celsius in some places.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that the central region will be partly cloudy at times, while the southern region and Jeju will be mostly cloudy. Rain will be concentrated in the south. Jeju will see 5 to 30 mm of rain from the 23rd to the 24th. Ulleungdo and Dokdo are expected to receive more, at 5 to 40 mm. Busan, Ulsan, and the southern coast of South Gyeongsang Province will likely get 5 to 30 mm. The southern coast of Gangwon, southern South Jeolla, inland South Gyeongsang, and the east coast of North Gyeongsang are forecast to receive 5 to 10 mm.
Temperatures will still reflect early-summer heat. Morning lows will range from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius, and daytime highs will be 22 to 30 degrees. Seoul and Incheon will reach 29 degrees in the afternoon. Suwon will hit 28 degrees, Jeonju 28 degrees, and Cheongju, Gwangju, and Chuncheon 27 degrees, making inland areas generally hot. By contrast, Gangneung at 23 degrees, Daegu at 24 degrees, Busan at 23 degrees, Ulsan at 22 degrees, and Jeju at 23 degrees will feel relatively cooler along the east coast and southern coast.
Fine dust levels are expected to remain “good” nationwide. The seas will be relatively calm. Wave heights in offshore waters will range from 0.5 to 2.5 meters in the East Sea and South Sea, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the West Sea. Farther offshore, waves may reach 0.5 to 3.5 meters in the West Sea and 1.0 to 3.5 meters in the South Sea.
The key point to watch is the midday heat in inland areas. As Seoul and Incheon climb to 29 degrees and Jeonju to 28 degrees, summer heat is beginning in earnest. In the south, where rain will fall, the humidity will make it feel even hotter. Spending too much time outdoors at midday could become difficult to endure.
The problem is that this kind of weather can lead to heat-related illness. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency says workers outdoors, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to heat. Heat-related illness includes heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat syncope, and it can present with symptoms such as headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, and reduced consciousness. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening.
So how should people handle outdoor activity in the heat? The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recommends three basic rules: water, shade, and rest. The key is to avoid the hottest part of the day. It is safest to postpone outings and outdoor exercise during the midday hours when temperatures peak, especially between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Staying hydrated is also essential. It is important to drink water frequently before you feel thirsty. If you have kidney, heart, or blood pressure-related conditions, it is best to consult a doctor about how much water you should drink. Drinks high in sugar should be avoided because they can actually worsen dehydration.
Clothing and rest areas also affect how you handle the heat. Wearing loose, light-colored clothing and using a hat or parasol to block the sun can help slow the rise in body temperature. Outdoors, you should look for shade and rest often.
If warning signs appear, stop immediately. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or unusually sweaty, move to a cool place, loosen your clothing, and first cool your body by wetting it and fanning yourself or using a fan. If someone appears confused or has a clouded consciousness, do not force them to drink water; call for help right away.
This is the first real heat of the season. In some places, rain will help ease the warmth, but in inland areas the midday heat is still not something to take lightly. A sip of water and a short rest in the shade are the best starting points for beating the heat.