South Korea's monsoon season intensifies, spreading nationwide on Friday

The monsoon formally made landfall here in South Korea on this Friday and for those of you in the Greater Seoul region looking to make the evening commute back home do take care on the road.

Our Kim Jung-sil covers the weather.

The monsoon season has officially begun in South Korea, bringing scattered showers, strong winds, and thunderstorms, with conditions intensifying throughout the day.

Heavy rain advisories and warnings are in effect for the capital region, northern Gangwon-do, and parts of Chungcheongnam-do provinces, where rainfall rates could reach as high as 50 millimeters per hour.

By the end of the day, the monsoon will gradually spread nationwide, with the authorities warning of heavy rainfall across the country.

"The rain currently falling will be recorded as the first monsoon rain of the year, and it will gradually expand nationwide. By tonight, both central and southern regions will officially enter the monsoon season."

With rainfall expected to reach up to 50 millimeters per hour, authorities are warning drivers of extremely dangerous conditions.

"If rain exceeds 50 millimeters per hour, driving becomes impossible, as the rain hitting the windshield of a fast-moving vehicle can reduce visibility to almost zero, making it extremely difficult to see."

The authorities are also warning of localized flooding and heavy downpours, particularly in central and southern regions, as the rainfall intensifies.

While the rain is expected to ease in central areas by Saturday afternoon, some parts of Jeju Island and the south may continue to experience rain through Sunday.

Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.