Subscribe
Rain boots are on display at a shoe store in a subway station near the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District Compound in Seoul. This week marked the beginning of the annual summer monsoon season in South Korea, when more than half of the country's annual precipitation falls and is usually concentrated in a 30-day period.

Rain boots are on display at a shoe store in a subway station near the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Far East District Compound in Seoul. This week marked the beginning of the annual summer monsoon season in South Korea, when more than half of the country's annual precipitation falls and is usually concentrated in a 30-day period. (Ashley Rowland/Stars and Stripes)

SEOUL — South Korea’s monsoon season started this week as more of a drizzle than a downpour, but forecasters say overall rainfall is expected to hit about average — or even higher —- by the time conditions dry out again.

Seoul recorded a scant half-inch of rain between Monday and Friday, far less than the 2.75 to 5 inches some forecasts predicted. However, the Korea Meteorological Administration says heavier-than-normal precipitation is expected in the coming weeks before returning to average levels in July.

More than half the country’s annual precipitation falls during the summer monsoon, or “changma,” season, when a stationary front stalls over the peninsula for about a month, according to KMA. It typically occurs between June and September.

Tech. Sgt. Rory Kling, of the 607th Weather Squadron at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan, said average precipitation is likely this summer, with two to three significant rainfalls that could cause heavy flooding. But one KMA forecaster said rainfall could be somewhat heavier than normal, though the amount will vary by region.

U.S. military installations in South Korea have been inundated with flash floods and mudslides during past monsoons.

Over the last 30 years, an average 14.4 inches of rain have fallen during the monsoon season in the northern half of the country, an area that includes Seoul, Dongducheon, Uijeongbu, Osan and Pyeongtaek, according to KMA. Last year, 11.8 inches fell in the region.

rowland.ashley@stripes.com

chang.yookyong@stripes.com

Sign Up for Daily Headlines

Sign up to receive a daily email of today's top military news stories from Stars and Stripes and top news outlets from around the world.

Sign Up Now