Rain drenches Seoul and cools off unseasonable heat wave

Tourists walk with umbrellas at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul’s Jongno District on May 20 as rain falls across the country AJP Yoo Na-hyun — Tourists walk with umbrellas at Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul’s Jongno District on May 20 as rain falls across the country. AJP Yoo Na-hyun.

SEOUL, May 20 (AJP) - Rain drenched Seoul and surrounding areas on Wednesday, offering some relief from the unseasonable heat wave in May.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the rain that began overnight in central and southern regions is forecast to spread across most parts of the country, with up to 80 millimeters of rainfall expected in Seoul, Incheon and other areas of Gyeonggi Province.

The much-needed rain to end a late-spring drought sharply lowered temperatures, with morning lows ranging from 15 to 19 degrees Celsius and daytime highs between 18 and 23 degrees Celsius, easing recent unseasonably hot weather.

Strong winds are also forecast across many regions later in the day, with the KMA urging caution over facility safety and outdoor activities.