- The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) expanded the highest-level Emergency Heat Wave Warning across Greater Seoul, a day after it was first issued in the capital area; as of 2 p.m. Wednesday it covered 30 of 46 zones across Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.
- Thursday daytime highs are forecast to reach 39 C in Seoul and Yangpyeong, and 38 C in Incheon, Suwon and Icheon, according to the KMA.
- Seoul recorded an overnight low of 29 C at the KMA’s main observation station in Jongno-gu, and tropical nights continued across Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province as well as parts of the Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces.
- Health authorities reported 198 cases of heat-related illness, including one suspected heat-related death, the previous day; cumulative cases since May 15 reached 2,441, including 21 suspected deaths, and the suspected fatality rate rose to 0.86 percent from 0.62 percent a year earlier.
- Outside the capital, Gwangju and Daejeon are forecast to reach 37 C and Daegu 36 C on Thursday, while Yangsan is expected to record 34 C after setting Korea’s all-time temperature record of 42.5 C on Sunday.
- Scattered showers were forecast in parts of the southwest and Greater Seoul, but rain was unlikely to provide lasting relief; from Sunday through Aug. 15, morning lows were forecast to range from 22 C to 27 C and daytime highs from 29 C to 36 C nationwide.
South Korea's Greater Seoul area is grappling with extreme heat as the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has expanded its Emergency Heat Wave Warning to 30 zones, including all of Seoul and nearly all of Incheon.123
Daytime highs are forecast to reach 39°C in Seoul and Yangpyeong, with Incheon and Gyeonggi cities expected to hit 38°C.
The KMA attributes these soaring temperatures to a foehn effect, where easterly winds lose moisture over mountains, resulting in hotter, drier air descending on western regions.
Seoul recorded an overnight low of 29°C, continuing the trend of tropical nights, where temperatures do not fall below 25°C.56
Health authorities reported 198 new cases of heat-related illness on Wednesday, bringing the total since May 15 to 2,441, including 21 suspected deaths.789
Despite the cumulative number of cases being about 75% of last year's total, the suspected fatality rate has increased to 0.86% from 0.62%.
Forecasts indicate that from Sunday through August 15, morning lows will range from 22°C to 27°C, with daytime highs of 29°C to 36°C nationwide.
Scattered showers are expected, but they are unlikely to provide lasting relief from the heat.
“KMA forecasts daytime highs of 39 C in Seoul and Yangpyeong on Thursday, while Seoul's overnight low at its Jongno-gu station was 29 C as tropical nights persist. Heat-related illness cases since May 15 reached 2,441, including 21 suspected deaths, as the suspected fatality rate rose to 0.86 percent from 0.62 percent a year earlier.”
