This summer is expected to be hotter than usual, and torrential rains are predicted to occur more frequently in the southern region in July and August. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) announced in its three-month weather forecast released on the 23rd that temperatures will show a similar or higher figure from June to August than in previous years. However, it is expected to fall short of the 1994 level, which was recorded as the year when the heat wave was the worst. Moreover, it is anticipated that the number of heat waves will not be at the level of “all-time” heat, slightly exceeding the previous year’s 10.7 days. In April, KMA predicted that the temperature would rise as high-pressure circulation forms near South Korea due to less snow cover in West Asia than normal. As of March, the Arctic Sea ice was smaller than usual, and in this case, temperatures in July and August tend to be higher. The fact that the sea level temperature in the Indian Ocean and the Philippine Sea is warmer than usual is another factor that develops high pressure near Korea. 

   In addition, more rain is expected in July and August than usual. According to KMA, the expected time for torrential rains in summer is between mid-July and mid-August, with rain concentrated mainly in the southern region. This can be attributed to the influence of El Niño. El Niño refers to a phenomenon in which seawater in the Eastern Pacific, such as the Pacific coast of South America, becomes warm. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) anticipated that there is a 60 percent chance of El Niño from May to July.  The reason why more rain is expected is that the high-pressure boundary is located in the south and Jeju Island, with many clouds expected to develop due to the influence of El Niño. KMA informed that the development of El Niño this summer is likely to cause local heavy rains in the southern part of the country amid the heat wave and asked for full attention to heavy rains, flooding, and landslides.