It's already mid-July, and the Korean peninsula should be under a really heavy monsoon or "Changma", as we call it here. Although it rained during early morning on Friday in Seoul, it remained sunny throughout the day. It was slightly humid, but bearable. The sun was out and there was even a slightly cool breeze when I walked on the sidewalk. This would have been considered a pretty pleasant summer day, but there's also something to worry about: the Changma is starting really, really late.
Having lower levels of humidity and not having to worry about rain boots, rain coats and umbrellas may be convenient to most of those who live in the city, but this means big trouble for the farming industry and the natural environment. When I watched the news last weekend, I was astonished at how some small lakes had dried up in the countryside, leaving only a threadlike streak of water in the middle of cracked soil. Last night, though, I was relieved to watch the report of rains falling throughout the country. That the Changma has begun is evident, but there are reports of low levels of precipitation compared to the previous years'. A Changma during which there is little rain is called "Dry Changma", and this year's definitely one of those. Even if the rain has been becoming heavier in some regions, the accumulated rain volume remains less than a quarter of last year's. Low levels of rain also mean many hotter days, so Seoulites must brace themselves for the suffocating warmth!
And why is any of this so significant? Here, summer has always meant Changma; the stickiness and the omnipresent beads of precipitation are things we've always accepted as the norm. The Changma is such a consistent part of the season that its vastly changing patterns observed in recent years can become a source of confusion and bewilderment. And of course, as I mentioned, vastly negative impacts on the environment.
Whereas a Changma as late as this is not something Koreans are used to (yet), a Changma that is irregular, heavier and extends to the autumn months has become a somewhat common trend in the last few years. Since the rain season is such a crucial part of life in this country, it is important to be aware of at least a few factors that influence its fluctuating patterns. A lot of research has been done on this subject - not just the Korean Changma but that of entire South East Asia - which deal with Eurasian ice cover, marine and continental temperatures among other factors.
http://w3.sbs.co.kr/news/newsEndPage.do?news_id=N1002467806
http://news1.kr/articles/?1768511
http://www.kjdaily.com/read.php3?aid=1405338616324842001
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| See any sign of rain, anybody? (Photo taken at Yangjaecheon) |
And why is any of this so significant? Here, summer has always meant Changma; the stickiness and the omnipresent beads of precipitation are things we've always accepted as the norm. The Changma is such a consistent part of the season that its vastly changing patterns observed in recent years can become a source of confusion and bewilderment. And of course, as I mentioned, vastly negative impacts on the environment.
Whereas a Changma as late as this is not something Koreans are used to (yet), a Changma that is irregular, heavier and extends to the autumn months has become a somewhat common trend in the last few years. Since the rain season is such a crucial part of life in this country, it is important to be aware of at least a few factors that influence its fluctuating patterns. A lot of research has been done on this subject - not just the Korean Changma but that of entire South East Asia - which deal with Eurasian ice cover, marine and continental temperatures among other factors.
The next post will be about such factors; it will be posted by the end of this month! Cheers :)
http://news1.kr/articles/?1768511
http://www.kjdaily.com/read.php3?aid=1405338616324842001
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