ANN/THE KOREA HERALD – South Korea is set to experience early-summer-like conditions this weekend, with daytime temperatures in Seoul and other inland areas expected to reach 29 degrees Celsius (°C).

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said highs are forecast to climb to 28°C tomorrow and further to 29°C on Sunday, bringing conditions suitable for T-shirts.

Seoul is expected to see clear skies, while Jeju Island and southern regions are likely to experience rain today.

Despite the warm afternoons, mornings and evenings will remain relatively cool. The weather agency has warned of sharp temperature differences, with daily variations of around 15°C in inland areas and up to about 20°C in central inland regions. The KMA explained that the unseasonably warm weather is driven by a pressure pattern where high pressure sits over northern areas and low pressure lingers to the south. This setup allows relatively warm easterly winds to flow in, pushing temperatures higher, particularly west of the Taebaek Mountains.

Inland central regions, including Greater Seoul, have seen especially sharp increases in daytime temperatures due to strong sunshine under clear skies. Air descending from the mountains becomes warmer and drier, further amplifying heat in inland areas.

In contrast, southern regions and Jeju Island have experienced relatively limited temperature rises at times due to cloud cover associated with low pressure.

Summer-like temperatures are expected to ease slightly next week. From Monday through the following weekend, morning temperatures are forecast at 7°C to 14°C, with daytime highs of 17°C to 26°C.

The KMA said that while temperatures next week will generally be lower than this week, they will remain around or slightly above seasonal averages.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin