Korean Peninsula Groans Under Abnormal Weather

Both Koreas have been suffering abnormal weather since late July, but while South Korea is sizzling in record heat, North Korea has been hit with heavy rainfall that has left more than 100 people dead.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the northwestern part of North Korea was hit by heavy some 253 mm of torrential rain in Anju last Sunday and 158 mm on Monday, while 140 mm of rain fell in Pyongyang last Sunday.

Anju had 449 mm of rain, and Huichon 388 mm for 12 days from July 22 to this Wednesday. Flooding has left scores of people dead and more than 60,000 displaced.

The reason for both extreme weather conditions is a North Pacific anticyclone. "Northwestern North Korea, which was at the edges of the anticyclonic eddies, saw heavy rainfall as a hot and humid North Pacific anticyclone clashed with cold air from China," the KMA said.

In contrast, South Korea sits in the center of the anticyclone and due to the atmospheric stability experiences sweltering heat day after day.