Monsoon season to begin early

South Korea’s monsoon (rainy) season, known as jangma 장마, runs late June to late July. It’s the most uncomfortable time of the year to be in Korea – intense bursts of rain and persistently high humidity.

2011 and 2022 were especially heavy monsoon years where parts of Gangnam suffered severe flooding. Our car, along with hundreds of other vehicles, suffered massive water damage in 2011 and again in 2022. In our neighborhood, nearly all of the parked cars were scrapped.

Starting 6/12/2025, Jeju Island will experience the beginning of monsoon season. This aligns with Typhoon Wutip which is forming nearby to the Philippines. This is a week earlier than usual. Seoul and northern parts of the country will receive rain but it’s monsoon season will not start quite yet.

Visit the KMA (Korea Meteorological Administration) for today’s weather (English).

Vocabulary:

Hot and humid (part one)

Hot and humid (part two)

Heavy rain

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