Why is this year's rainy season like this? Considering whether it's a rainy season or just a monsoon.

The increasingly unpredictable changes in the rainy season are largely influenced by climate change. As global warming causes the land and oceans to heat up, more water vapor is generated in the air. This water vapor becomes the material for rain clouds, ultimately leading to more intense and concentrated rainfall. The rising temperatures in the Arctic and the resulting unstable atmospheric conditions also contribute to this effect.

Researchers at the Korea Meteorological Administration's Forecast Research Division also stated at the Korea Meteorological Society Academic Conference last year that "as the climate crisis deepens, even the traditional understanding of the monsoon is changing." Examples include the occurrence of the third shortest monsoon on record the year after the longest monsoon in history in 2020, and the fact that more rain fell after the monsoons in 2021 and 2022. There has also been a suggestion to replace the term "monsoon," which has been used for the past 500 years, with "rainy season," and the Korea Meteorological Administration is reviewing this. However, both the Korea Meteorological Administration and the academic community believe that any change in terminology should be approached with caution.

The problem is that as global temperatures continue to rise, it will become more difficult to predict the pattern of the monsoon in the coming years. There may be an increase in days with heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, leading to more frequent damage. In particular, during the remaining July monsoon period, there could be sporadic heavy rains and thunderstorms pouring down on small areas, so we need to prepare for rain-related damages.

Heatwave

When the rain briefly stops, a heatwave arrives. A heatwave refers to a day with a maximum temperature of 33°C or higher. Especially in environments with high humidity, like last year and this year, when it rains, the humidity increases, making the perceived heat more intense. After the monsoon season ends, more heatwaves and tropical nights are expected nationwide, so caution is needed for heat-related illnesses. During the hot daytime, outdoor activities should be avoided, and wearing a hat or parasol can help escape the heat. Additionally, instead of caffeine like coffee, drinking plenty of water or electrolyte drinks can prevent dehydration.

▶Landslide=

Heavy rain increases the risk of landslides. Especially when localized heavy rainfall, like recent monsoon patterns, occurs frequently, the risk of mudslide and debris flow landslides increases. Mudslide refers to soil, rocks, and trees mixed with water flowing rapidly down mountains or valleys. Cases where debris flows from landslides spread to residential areas and cause large-scale disasters are becoming more frequent. To prepare for this, it is advisable to check the real-time risk level through the 'Landslide Information System' provided on the Korea Forest Service website. Inspect whether fences or trees around your house are at risk of falling, and if there are mountains near your home, consider installing or inspecting retaining walls or drainage systems in advance.

▶Sharp rise in vegetable prices=

During the rainy season and afterwards, the prices of vegetables and fruits may also soar. Since June, with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius on consecutive hot days, the overall growth of vegetables and fruits has been sluggish. If there is a lack of sunlight and flooding damage caused by heavy rains during the monsoon period, the harvest yield could decrease further, leading to an increase in consumer prices. In particular, fruits vulnerable to the rainy season include peaches and plums, which tend to retain moisture easily.