Record heatwave grips South Korea as temperatures could soar to 38 deg C this weekend
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Over a 52-day period, South Korea had an average of 10 days with heatwaves – when the daily high exceeds 33 deg C – marking the third-highest figure ever recorded.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL – South Korea is on track to see one of its hottest summers in history, as forecasters warn that the heat will intensify further over the weekend due to the combined influence of two high-pressure systems looming over the country.
On July 24, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said that the country has already broken several summer weather records.
During a press briefing, the KMA stated that average daily temperatures from June 1 to July 23 reached 24.5 deg C nationwide – the highest average temperature seen during that period since the statistic was first compiled in 1973.
The average daily high during the same period hit 29.5 deg C, also the highest on record.
Over the 52-day period, the country experienced an average of 10 days with heatwaves – defined as days when the daily high exceeds 33 deg C – marking the third-highest figure ever recorded.
Following a week of torrential rain, heatwave warnings were issued again
In Korea, heatwave warnings are issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 35 deg C for two or more consecutive days.
The heat is expected to intensify from July 25 and into the weekend.
Highs in some regions on July 25 are expected to reach 37 deg C.
On July 26 and July 27, highs are expected to range between 32 deg C and 38 deg C.
According to forecasters, the western parts of Korea, including the capital Seoul, are likely to see even hotter conditions due to warm south-easterly winds flowing into the country. The winds are expected to cause drier and hotter conditions in urban areas that are already warm due to strong sunlight and densely packed infrastructure.
Night-time temperatures have also been unusually high. Average night-time lows between June 1 to July 23 were recorded at 20.6 deg C, the second highest since weather records were first kept.
The number of tropical nights – defined as nights when temperatures do not drop below 25 deg C – stood at five, the second-highest on record.
All key indicators, including daily highs, lows and tropical nights, have surpassed records set in 2023, which itself was one of the hottest summers in recent history
Forecasters said on July 24 that both the hot and humid North Pacific high-pressure system, and the dry and hot Tibetan high-pressure system are expanding in the mid-to-upper layers of the atmosphere above the Korean Peninsula.
When both high-pressure systems combine, heat builds up and cannot escape – resulting in what meteorologists call a “heat dome” that causes extreme and prolonged heat.
The North Pacific high-pressure system has affected the Korean Peninsula since the start of this week, and the Tibetan high-pressure system has started to move toward the peninsula. This weather phenomenon is expected to intensify the sweltering heat over the weekend and through early next week.
Looking ahead, the KMA is on the lookout for two possible weather scenarios for the middle of next week: prolonged and intense heat or heavy rain.
“If the high-pressure system remains dominant, it could block cooler air coming in from the north, leading to continued heat,” said KMA official Gong Sang-min during a press briefing.
“However, if the high-pressure system retreats eastward, moist tropical air from the south could clash with descending northern air masses over the peninsula, triggering heavy rainfall.”
According to the state weather agency, the development of multiple tropical cyclones over the Philippine Sea – including Typhoon Francisco, Typhoon Co-May and the tropical depression expected to develop into Typhoon Krosa in 24 hours – could influence Korea’s weather depending on how the North Pacific high-pressure system develops over the Korean Peninsula.
As of July 24, the KMA added that the typhoons are expected to bring rain to mountainous regions on Jeju Island on July 26 and July 27 as hot and humid south-easterly winds flow into the island along with the North Pacific high-pressure system.
However, Mr Gong added that the atmospheric pressure pattern for next week is “highly volatile” due to different scenarios in how the typhoons could interact with and influence the high-pressure systems and urged people to keep checking the latest forecasts. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
