Expected Autumn, But a Heat Wave Warning Instead... Tropical Nights Return to Seoul, and Days Will Be Even Hotter

[Financial News] Even after the seasonal solar term known as the End of Heat, which marks the passing of summer heat, nationwide midsummer heat waves and tropical nights continue to rage. As heat advisories in parts of Seoul and other regions across the country have been upgraded to heat wave warnings, the sweltering weather is expected to continue, with the perceived daytime temperature climbing to around 35 degrees Celsius.
The Korean Meteorological Administration said it upgraded the heat advisory for southeastern and northeastern Seoul to a heat wave warning at 11 a.m. on the 24th. Heat wave warnings were also issued for Gimpo, Hanam-si and Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province, the eastern coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon State, Gongju and Boryeong in South Chungcheong Province, Gumi and Gimcheon in North Gyeongsang Province, Tongyeong in South Gyeongsang Province, and eastern Busan. Earlier, heat wave warnings had already been issued for Daegu, Pohang, the southern part of Sejong City, parts of Jeollanam-do and North Jeolla Province, and some areas of South Gyeongsang Province, placing most of the country under heat alert conditions.
Tropical nights also gripped the country overnight. In Seoul, the overnight low from 6 p.m. the previous day to 6 a.m. on this day came in at 25.4 degrees Celsius, once again exceeding the tropical-night threshold of 25 degrees or higher. Other major cities recorded overnight lows of 27.1 degrees in Jeju Province, 26.9 degrees in Busan, 26.8 degrees in Cheongju, 26.6 degrees in Pohang, 26.4 degrees in Gangneung and Seogwipo, 26.3 degrees in Incheon and Yeosu, and 25.5 degrees in Daejeon and Gwangju.
Daytime highs are expected to range from 31 to 36 degrees Celsius, about 3 to 6 degrees above seasonal norms of 27 to 30 degrees. Forecast highs for major cities include 33 degrees in Seoul, Suwon and Sejong City; 31 degrees in Incheon and Jeju Province; 34 degrees in Gangneung and Daejeon; and 35 degrees in Gwangju, Daegu, Ulsan Metropolitan City and Busan. With humidity remaining high, the perceived temperature will rise to around 33 to 35 degrees in most parts of the country, making the air feel muggy and oppressive.
There is also a chance of showers due to atmospheric instability. From the afternoon, 5 to 30 millimeters of rain is expected in eastern Gyeonggi Province, the central and northern inland areas of Gangwon State, the southern part of the Chungcheong region, inland North Jeolla Province, Jeollanam-do, the southern inland areas of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the western inland areas of South Gyeongsang Province, and Jeju Island. Even if showers fall, however, the rising humidity will make it difficult for the heat to ease.
Fine dust levels are expected to remain in the 'good' to 'moderate' range nationwide, thanks to smooth atmospheric dispersion. Waves at sea will reach 0.5 to 1.0 meters in the East Sea and Yellow Sea coastal waters, and 0.5 to 1.5 meters in the South Sea coastal waters.
An official from the Korean Meteorological Administration urged people to take special care of their health, saying, "The risk of heat-related illness is very high, so please drink enough water and salt, and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible."
[email protected] Moon Young-jin Reporter