South Korea expects heavy rain and strong winds starting Tuesday night as remnants of Typhoon Babi move across the peninsula [1, 2].
The sudden transition from extreme heat to severe weather poses a significant risk to public safety and infrastructure across the Seoul metropolitan area and beyond.
Temperatures have surged across the country recently. In Daegu Dong-gu and Gyeongsan Hayang-eup, temperatures reached approximately 38 °C [3], while Seoul Nowon-gu saw temperatures exceed 35 °C [3]. Reporter Jung Hye-yoon said suffocating extreme heat has covered the Korean Peninsula [5].
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, this heat will be replaced by a moisture-laden cloud mass left by the dissipated Typhoon Babi [1, 2, 6]. This system is interacting with a stationary front and a low-pressure system, which is expected to trigger volatile weather conditions [1, 6].
The agency forecast maximum rainfall of up to 120 mm for northern Gyeonggi Province [4]. Some locations may experience hourly rainfall exceeding 50 mm [4]. The weather service also warned that wind gusts could exceed 20 m/s [4].
These conditions are expected to persist from the night of July 14 through the early morning of July 15 [1, 2]. The forecasts specifically highlight risks for central inland and coastal regions, as well as the Seoul metropolitan area [2].
An unspecified anchor with YTN said while extreme heat has been rampant nationwide, heavy rain and gusts are now the primary emergency starting tomorrow [4].
“Suffocating extreme heat has covered the Korean Peninsula.”
The rapid shift from a severe heatwave to intense precipitation and high winds increases the likelihood of flash flooding and urban drainage failures. Because the moisture is tied to the remnants of a tropical cyclone, the rainfall is likely to be more concentrated and intense than typical seasonal rains, requiring heightened vigilance in low-lying areas of the Seoul metropolitan region.
