World News
Elevated sea temperatures fuel forecasts of heavy rainfall in South Korea
Yellow Sea surface temperatures reaching four degrees above average are expected to bring over 200mm of rain to parts of the country.
The short version
- South Korean officials met to prepare for severe thunderstorms expected to drop over 200mm of rain across central and northern areas.
- The severe weather is being amplified by the Yellow Sea, where surface temperatures have reached 29°C—4°C above the seasonal average.
- The storms are projected to move slowly eastward before diminishing on Tuesday.
Key facts
- South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook met with officials to coordinate responses for anticipated heavy rainfall.[The Guardian]
- Central and northern regions of South Korea are forecast to receive more than 200mm of rain.[The Guardian]
- The Yellow Sea's surface temperature is currently 29°C, which is 4°C above historical norms.[The Guardian]
What remains uncertain
- The precise local impacts and exact total rainfall amounts remain dependent on how quickly the storm systems dissipate on Tuesday.[The Guardian]
Sources
- Weather tracker: Warm Yellow Sea strengthens storms in South KoreaThe Guardian - World