South Korea roasts under high-pressure double whammy, with 3 typhoons forming nearby

SEOUL - Extreme heat is set to continue its grip on South Korea this weekend, with the peninsula caught between twin high-pressure systems. Adding to the intensity, three typhoons have formed nearby, raising concerns about their potential to worsen the ongoing heat wave.

On July 25, the nation’s heat alert level was lifted to “serious,”, as heat wave advisories and warnings were issued for most parts of the country. This prompted the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to activate the Level 1 operation of the nation’s anti-disaster system.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, daytime temperatures could soar as high as 38 deg C over the weekend, with nationwide highs ranging between 32 deg and 38 deg on July 26 and 32 to 37 deg on July 27.

The current heat wave is being driven by a hot and humid North Pacific high-pressure system and a hot and dry Tibetan high-pressure system over the Korean Peninsula. With the entire country trapped between the two systems, the intense sunlight is heating the ground and prolonging the extreme heat.

Adding to this, three typhoons developed south of the peninsula almost simultaneously, each forming a day apart.

According to the weather agency, Typhoon Krosa, the ninth typhoon of the season, formed around noon on July 24 in waters about 160km north-west of Guam. Following Typhoon Francisco and Typhoon Co-May, Typhoon Krosa is also moving northward, with all three typhoons simultaneously advancing from the open seas south of the Korean Peninsula.

Some forecasts suggest that the typhoons may interact with the North Pacific high-pressure system over the weekend, generating hot southeasterly winds that could further intensify the heat wave. THE KOREA HERALD/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK