The Old Four Seasons Rulebook Is Torn Up
사진: Sveta K / Pexels
For decades, Korea earned its reputation for crisp winters, golden autumns, and summers that knew when to pause for monsoon season. But the past ten years have rewritten that story. In 2024, the country’s weather dial spun so wildly that even locals joked the four seasons had been replaced by “two seasons: extreme and more extreme.”
Hard data confirms what Koreans felt in their bones. Last summer (June-August), the Korea Meteorological Administration reported 32% more rainfall than the 30-year average (1991-2020). Then, in August, Jeju Island was drenched by a downpour delivering over 80 mm in one hour—a deluge that turned roads into rivers.
Meanwhile, heatwaves stretched into the night. Seoul logged 18 tropical nights in July 2024 (nights when the low never dipped below 25 °C). That’s more than double the eight recorded in July 1994. Winter brought its own surprises: on January 14, Seoul’s mercury plunged to -18.6 °C, the lowest since 1968.
Climate scientists point to Arctic warming as the culprit. A weakening jet stream—Earth’s high-altitude river of wind—slows weather systems to a crawl. When systems stall, fronts linger, and extreme conditions lock in for weeks. This “blocking pattern” is behind Korea’s record monsoon season and the sudden Arctic blasts that feel more Siberian than Seoul.
2024’s Weather Hall of Shame: Three Records That Broke the Internet
🌧️ 1. Monsoon on Steroids – “Rain Where You Stand, Rain Where You Run”
This year’s rainy season ran from June 24 to July 24—31 days, nine days longer than average. Rainfall totals soared 60% above normal, and Seoul was drenched by 150 mm in 24 hours in early July. The deluge triggered landslides and flash floods, including a road collapse in Pyeongchang County that cut off entire villages.
🔥 2. A July That Felt Like August in Dubai – “Nighttime Taps AC Too”
July 2024 delivered Seoul’s second-hottest average temperature since records began in 1907: 28.3 °C. Highs topped 35 °C daily, while overnight lows hovered around 28–29 °C—tropical nights that kept air conditioners humming 24/7. The surge in power demand peaked on August 1 when Seoul’s grid hit 12.5 million kW, sparking blackout fears across the capital.
❄️ 3. A Winter Cold Snap That Felt Like a Time Machine to 1968
Mid-January 2024 delivered a cold snap for the record books. On January 14, Seoul’s temperature crashed to -18.6 °C, the lowest since 1968. The deep freeze forced subway delays, iced-over roads, and a spike in traffic accidents. Meteorologists call it an “unexpected aberration,” but some warn it’s a preview of a warmer Arctic sending polar blasts southward unpredictably.
What’s Next? Korea’s Weather Forecast Looks… Unsettled
The Korea Meteorological Administration’s 2024 climate outlook paints a sobering picture. Monsoon rainfall is projected to rise 5% yearly, while heatwave days could double by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. Cities will feel the heat more acutely due to the urban heat-island effect, where concrete and asphalt can make neighborhoods feel 3–5 °C hotter than rural areas.
Winters may bring less persistent cold, but volatility is the new normal. Sudden Arctic blasts or unseasonal snowstorms remain a wildcard. The KMA urges cities to prioritize climate adaptation: green roofs to absorb stormwater, permeable pavements to reduce flooding, and updated power grids to handle heat-driven demand spikes.
Your Korean Weather Questions, Answered
Q. How does Korea’s weather compare to other countries?
A. Korea sits between 33° and 43° North, placing it in a zone of sharp seasonal swings and frequent monsoon and typhoon impacts. The monsoon season (June–July) and typhoon season (August–September) are uniquely Korean features. Meanwhile, regional contrasts are dramatic: Jeju Island stays mild in winter, while Daegwallyeong Pass can drop below -20 °C. The East Sea and West Sea currents also create microclimates that make Seoul’s weather different from Busan’s just 400 km away.
Q. What does a “weak jet stream” actually do to Korean weather?
A. The jet stream is a high-altitude wind that steers weather systems eastward. When it weakens, systems stall—blocking patterns lock weather in place. In summer 2024, a sluggish jet stream let the North Pacific high-pressure zone hover over Korea, extending the monsoon for weeks. In winter, a weakened jet stream can allow frigid Siberian high-pressure systems to dive south suddenly, bringing surprise Arctic blasts.
Q. Is “climate migration” coming to Korea?
A. Not yet, but Seoul is already adapting. The city’s “Sponge City” initiative adds green roofs, rain gardens, and water-permeable roads to absorb downpours. Farmers adjust planting calendars, while water systems are upgraded to handle both drought and flood extremes. Experts stress that adaptation, not migration, is the immediate priority—though if trends continue, relocating coastal communities may be on the table by 2050.
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Originally covered on Daily Trend Blog
