the U.S. weather information app AccuWeather saw a significant boost in its download rankings on the Google Play Store in South Korea last week. (Image from AccuWeather webpage)
SEOUL, Jul. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea is experiencing a phenomenon known as “ghost rain” – simultaneous heavy downpours and heat waves that have defied weather predictions – leaving citizens increasingly frustrated with inaccurate forecasts.
This meteorological anomaly has sparked a trend of “weather migration,” with many South Koreans abandoning the national weather service’s app in favor of foreign alternatives.
According to Data.ai, an app analysis platform, the U.S. weather information app AccuWeather saw a significant boost in its download rankings on the Google Play Store in South Korea last week. From July 1 to 7, it climbed five spots to reach seventh place, up from 12th the previous week.
While still trailing behind the Korea Meteorological Administration’s (KMA) official app, which stands in fifth place, the shift in user preference has become increasingly apparent as the rainy season intensifies.
AccuWeather, a private meteorological company founded in Pennsylvania in 1962, is known for providing detailed weather information for approximately 6,000 locations across South Korea.
This year’s monsoon season has seen numerous forecast misses. On July 8, the KMA predicted a maximum rainfall of 100mm for North Gyeongsang Province. However, the region was inundated with over 200mm of rain in just 24 hours.
The KMA has defended its performance, citing extremely unstable atmospheric conditions during this year’s rainy season that make accurate forecasting challenging.
Daegu’s Dong District was hit with torrential rain on July 10. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
Typically, weather prediction accuracy in July, which coincides with the monsoon season, stands at 78% – significantly lower than the 96% average for autumn months.
This year’s monsoon is particularly difficult to forecast due to a low-pressure system in the west creating a narrow, elongated stationary front.
Woo Jin-kyu, a KMA spokesperson, explained, “The localized differences in rain clouds are substantial, and the stationary front is narrow, resulting in varying perceived rainfall even in nearby areas along the boundary.”
As the unpredictable “ghost rain” continues, interest in foreign weather services is growing. On July 9, the Czech-based Windy.com topped the free weather app downloads on the Apple App Store, followed by AccuWeather in second place. The KMA’s official app was relegated to fourth place.
Users praise foreign weather apps for their superior “weather information delivery.” A 28-year-old delivery driver surnamed Lee said, “AccuWeather immediately tells you if it’s going to rain within minutes in the area where you open the app.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
