Milder Weather Expected Across South Korea On Chunbun

On March 20, 2025, marking 'Chunbun', a transition into milder weather is expected across South Korea. By midday, temperatures will reach a pleasant 14 degrees Celsius in Seoul, while Jincheon and Gimcheon will see highs of 17 degrees Celsius. These temperatures reflect a significant increase of 4 to 9 degrees compared to the previous day, indicating a clear shift toward spring.

The forecast indicates that the warm trend won’t just be a one-off. The temperature is expected to rise further, reaching 18 degrees Celsius on March 21 and potentially climbing to 21 degrees by March 23, resembling typical mid-April warmth. This rise is attributed to a warm southwesterly wind that is expected to usher in not only milder conditions but also an influx of fine dust, complicating air quality.

According to meteorological reports, the concentration of fine dust in regions such as the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Yeongseo, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Daegu is predicted to reach 'bad' levels on the same day. Coastal regions, particularly in Busan and North Gyeongsang Province, are expected to experience similar poor air quality during morning and evening hours. Other areas including Gangwon Yeongdong and Ulsan may also see their air quality deteriorate later in the day.

For much of South Korea, the 20th of March will be generally clear, enabling residents to enjoy the spring sunshine. However, caution is advised as strong winds reaching 20 to 25 meters per second are forecast in the mountainous areas of Gangwon and along the East Sea coastline, with localized gusts akin to typhoon conditions. Such intensity could lead to hazardous situations for outdoor activities.

Adding to the unusual weather for this time of year, wave heights in the East Sea could rise up to 3.5 meters, creating potential disturbances for maritime activities.

This transition into warmer weather comes with typical spring challenges. The temperature disparity will be stark—averaging a 15-degree Celsius differential between night and daytime temperatures. In the inland region of Gyeongsang, overnight lows could hover around -4 to 4 degrees Celsius, making it crucial for individuals to dress accordingly to manage these fluctuations effectively.

The before-reported air quality issues signal an ongoing challenge; there will likely be numerous days of poor air quality ahead as fine dust continues to infiltrate from the West. Specifically, forecasts indicate that the air quality in central and western regions, including Honam and Chungnam, will experience elevated fine dust levels starting from March 20.

Residents are urged to take precautions, especially those sensitive to air quality, given that the average fine dust concentration could reach severe levels in various urban areas.

As the weekend approaches, weather patterns are expected to stabilize further, with temperatures exceeding the 20-degree mark, which may provide a more conducive climate for outdoor activities. This warm-up coincides with an increasing likelihood of drier weather, alleviating concerns about persistent precipitation.

Overall, while South Korea embraces the arrival of spring and enjoys the corresponding weather changes, it is important for residents to remain vigilant regarding air quality and to prepare appropriately for the temperature swings that characterize this transitional season.