Seoul records heaviest daily rain and warmest temperature for November, South Korea

Unseasonably heavy rains hit central regions in South Korea on Thursday, November 19, 2020, with Seoul receiving 68.2 mm (2.7 inches)– the heaviest daily rain record for November since modern record-keeping started in 1907, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). On the same day, the capital also recorded its warmest November day with a low of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).

As of 23:00 UTC on November 18 (08:00 LT on November 19), 68.2 mm (2.7 inches) of rain fell in the capital city, exceeding the previous daily record of 67.4 m (2.6 inches) set on November 7, 1916.

It is the heaviest rainfall recorded in the city for the month of November since modern weather data-keeping began 113 years ago. The amount of rain that fell in Seoul on Thursday was about four times the normal for this time of the year.

As a result, some roads were flooded, including the area near the Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul.

KMA said precipitation is forecast to further increase for the rest of the day as Seoul and central regions, including portions of Gangwon and South Chungcheong, are being lashed by strong rains of up to 20 mm (0.8 inches) per hour, accompanied by lightning and thunder.

"The humid and warm air created by the low atmospheric pressure clashed with cold air coming from the northwest, resulting in heavy rainfall," explained a KMA official.

Despite the unseasonal heavy downpour, Seoul's morning low was 17.1 °C (62.8 °F)– the highest on record for November, beating the previous record of 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) set on November 5, 2011. 

Featured image credit: Andrew Rochfort