The unprecedented autumn heat wave is set to fade away soon, as the nation will be soaked by heavy rain later this week, the state weather agency said Thursday. Monsoon-like downpours will sporadically drench the nation between Friday afternoon and Saturday, lowering daytime highs nationwide to between 19 C and 30 C beginning this weekend, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Amid the weakening of the Tibetan high that has caused the unseasonal heat wave over the Korean Peninsula, cold air from the north will collide with hot and humid air rising from the south, resulting in heavy rain across the country, the KMA explained. The central region is expected to receive 30 to 50 millimeters per hour from Friday afternoon to early Saturday morning, while rain of about 30 mm per hour is expected in the southern region, the agency said. Due to the heavy rain and the influx of cold air, temperatures will drop beginning Friday. Morning lows will range from 16 C to 26 C, and the maximum daily temperatures will be 19-30 C on Saturday. In Seoul, daytime highs will fall to 29 C on Friday and 23 C on Saturday, the KMA said, adding autumn-like weather will then continue throughout next week. Source: Yonhap News Agency