SEOUL: South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since official weather records began more than a century ago. The Korea Meteorological Administration confirmed the record on Sunday as the country continued to face an intense heatwave.
According to the state weather agency, the temperature in Yangsan, a city in southeastern South Korea, reached 42.5 degrees Celsius at 1:26 p.m. local time. The reading is the highest temperature ever recorded in the country’s weather history.
Yangsan has become the center of the ongoing heatwave. On Sunday, the city recorded temperatures above 40°C for the fifth straight day. The prolonged period of extreme heat has raised concerns among authorities and residents.
The heatwave has affected many parts of South Korea. Several cities reported temperatures in the upper 30s, while weather officials issued heat warnings across large areas of the country. Authorities continue to monitor conditions as the extreme weather persists.
More than 20 local areas remained under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday. The government introduced this new warning category earlier this year to strengthen its response to rising temperatures.
Under the current system, an emergency heat alert is issued when a region is expected to experience a perceived temperature of 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C for at least one day. Officials say the new category helps local authorities prepare for severe weather conditions more effectively.
The Korea Meteorological Administration also released data showing a sharp increase in heatwave days over recent years. According to the agency, the average number of heatwave days has more than doubled during the past five years.
The country now records an average of 19 heatwave days each year. During the 1970s, the annual average was only eight days. This increase highlights the growing frequency of prolonged hot weather across the country.
The weather agency defines a heatwave day as one when the highest daily temperature reaches at least 33°C. It also defines a tropical night as one when overnight temperatures remain above 25°C, making it difficult for people to cool down after sunset.
Meteorologists say longer and stronger heatwaves have become more common in recent years. High temperatures can increase health risks, especially for older adults, children, and people with existing medical conditions.
Scientists have repeatedly warned that human-induced climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent and more intense. Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, droughts, and other climate-related events are now occurring more often in many parts of the world.
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The latest record in South Korea reflects this growing trend of extreme weather. Authorities continue to advise residents to stay hydrated, avoid unnecessary outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours, and follow official weather updates as the heatwave continues.
