South Korea experienced an unprecedented heatwave on Sunday, with the southeastern city of Yangsan reaching a record temperature of 42.5°C, the highest since national weather records began over 100 years ago.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported that the peak temperature was recorded at 1:26 pm local time, with Yangsan enduring temperatures above 40°C for five consecutive days. This intense heatwave has affected numerous parts of the country, prompting widespread heat warnings.
In response to rising temperatures, more than 20 localities were placed under emergency heatwave alerts, a new category introduced this year to improve public safety measures. These alerts are issued when forecasted perceived temperatures reach 38°C or actual temperatures hit 39°C for a day.
Data from the KMA indicates that the average annual number of heatwave days in South Korea has more than doubled over the past five decades, rising from eight days in the 1970s to 19 days in recent years. A heatwave day is defined as one with maximum temperatures of at least 33°C, while tropical nights are nights when temperatures do not drop below 25°C.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events to human-induced climate change, highlighting the growing challenges posed by global warming.
