- South Korea has recorded its hottest day on record amid extreme weather globally, with heat warnings remaining in effect across much of the country.
- More than 20 localities are under emergency heatwave alerts, which are issued when temperatures reach a perceived temperature of at least 38C (100.4F) or an actual temperature of 39C (102.2F) or higher.
- South Korea's record temperatures come as extreme weather affects countries across several continents; in Japan, authorities issued heatstroke alerts for 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures.
- Across Europe, wildfires fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds swept through parts of Greece, forcing evacuations, while hot, dry conditions continued in Spain and France.
- In North Africa, extreme heat and powerful winds are driving major wildfires in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco; Tunisia has deployed international firefighting aircraft.
- A dangerous heatwave is gripping parts of the western United States, where forecasters warned temperatures could break records over the weekend while sharply increasing wildfire risks.
South Korea is experiencing unprecedented heat, with the southeastern city of Yangsan recording a staggering 42.5°C (108.5°F), the highest since records began over a century ago. This marks the fifth consecutive day temperatures exceeded 40°C (104°F) in Yangsan, prompting emergency heatwave alerts across more than 20 localities.23
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has issued warnings as temperatures climb into the upper 30s across many cities. The emergency alert system, introduced this year, activates when temperatures are forecasted to reach a perceived temperature of at least 38°C (100.4°F) or an actual temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher for a single day.
KMA data indicates that the average annual number of heatwave days has more than doubled over the past five years, now averaging 19 days compared to 8 days in the 1970s. This alarming trend is attributed to climate change, which scientists say is making heatwaves and other extreme weather events more frequent and intense.
The extreme weather is not isolated to South Korea; Japan is also facing severe heat, with heatstroke alerts issued for 30 of its 47 prefectures. Meanwhile, Europe is battling wildfires fueled by high temperatures, and North Africa is experiencing extreme heat that has led to major wildfires in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. The western United States is also under a dangerous heatwave, with record-breaking temperatures expected.456789
“More than 20 South Korean localities are under the new emergency heatwave alert, triggered when perceived temperatures are forecast to hit 38C (100.4F). The heat is also prompting heatstroke alerts across 30 of Japan's 47 prefectures, while wildfires force evacuations in Greece and threaten the western US.”
