South Korea's first full commute after the Chuseok holiday begins with a mix of fog, scattered rain and a wide day-to-night temperature gap. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast fog with visibility below 1 kilometer in parts of inland Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, North Jeolla and North Gyeongsang through the morning.
Rain is expected to be limited but uneven. Incheon and the Gyeonggi west coast may receive less than 5 millimeters, while light rain or isolated drops are possible in other parts of the capital region, inland Gangwon, northern Chungcheong and Jeju.
The western islands are the wettest part of the forecast, with around 5 millimeters expected in the West Sea Five Islands. Elsewhere, the larger morning hazard is visibility rather than rainfall, especially near rivers, lakes, valleys and bridges where fog can become locally denser.
A warmer afternoon after a foggy start
Temperatures will rise quickly after the cool start. Morning lows are forecast around 14 to 20 degrees Celsius, including 18 degrees in Seoul, while afternoon highs are expected to reach 25 to 29 degrees. The day-night gap could reach 10 to 15 degrees in some areas.
For commuters, the practical combination is reduced visibility early and much warmer conditions later. Slower driving is especially important on fog-prone inland roads, while people leaving early may need to account for a markedly warmer trip home. The return to normal work routines therefore begins with conditions that can change noticeably within a few hours.