Typhoon Champi Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Jeju and Southern Korea

Typhoon Champi is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Jeju and southern South Korea over the weekend, prompting weather advisories and warnings about hazardous coastal conditions.

Heavy-rain and strong-wind advisories were in effect for Jeju on Saturday as the storm moved northward. The most severe precipitation is forecast for Jeju and the southern coast, where intense downpours could increase the risk of flooding, difficult travel and damage to outdoor facilities.

Rainfall through Monday could exceed 200 millimeters in Jeju’s mountain areas. Other parts of the island are forecast to receive between 80 and 150 millimeters, while more than 100 millimeters may fall along the southern coast. Other southern regions could receive between 20 and 80 millimeters.

The storm’s reach is expected to extend farther north, although with much lighter rainfall. Seoul and other areas in central South Korea are forecast to receive between 5 and 10 millimeters.

Forecasters said Jeju and the southern coast could experience particularly heavy rain from Saturday through Sunday morning, with precipitation rates reaching 20 to 30 millimeters per hour in some locations. Such short bursts can quickly overwhelm drainage systems and reduce visibility on roads.

Strong winds are another concern. Jeju and the southern coast were expected to face gusty conditions on Saturday, while winds of around 15 meters per second could affect most regions beginning Sunday night. Residents were advised to secure vulnerable outdoor objects and take care around facilities that could be damaged by sudden gusts.

Marine conditions are also expected to deteriorate. Waves of between 2 and 6 meters are forecast in offshore waters south of the peninsula, the southern East Sea and the southern Yellow Sea. Swells may reach coastal areas, creating danger near breakwaters, rocks and other shoreline locations even where local weather appears less severe.

Temperatures on Sunday morning are forecast to range from 8 to 18 degrees Celsius nationwide, with Seoul at 12 degrees. Daytime highs are expected to reach between 18 and 24 degrees, including 24 degrees in the capital, generally 2 to 4 degrees higher than Saturday.

The combination of concentrated rainfall, strong gusts and elevated waves means conditions could vary sharply by region. Jeju and southern coastal communities face the greatest immediate impact, while people elsewhere should prepare for broader windy conditions as the storm’s influence spreads.