As the perceived daytime temperature in Seoul soared to around 33°C (91°F) today (July 24), heatwave advisories and warnings are in effect for most parts of the country.
According to an analysis of data from the past 53 years by the Korea Meteorological Administration, the number of heatwave days has increased by 1.8 days per decade.
Over the past 10 years, the average number of heatwave days was 18.3, which is 2.2 times higher compared to the first decade tracked from 1973.
Tropical nights, when temperatures do not drop below 25°C (77°F) overnight, are also on the rise.
The number of tropical nights has increased by 1.6 days per decade.
The average number of tropical nights over the past decade stood at 12.2, which is three times higher than those recorded during the decade starting in 1973.
Notably, four out of the five years with the highest number of heatwave days on record were concentrated within the past decade.
The onset of heatwaves is also arriving earlier.
Over the past 10 years, the start of heatwaves has advanced by about 10 to 30 days in most regions nationwide, beginning as early as June and lasting until mid-to-late August.
In particular, heatwaves have frequently appeared in May and September in some areas.
In Gangneung and parts of the Yeongnam region, where relatively early heatwaves begin, the heat now starts as early as early June. In the central inland areas, heatwaves have also begun about a month earlier than in the past, starting around early and mid-June.
Tropical nights are starting earlier and ending later.
Tropical nights, which used to begin in mid-to-late July in the past, now appear as early as early July, and with the end point delayed by 10 to 20 days, they continue until early September.
Specifically, in Gangneung, the start of tropical nights moved up by 26 days from July 17 to June 21, while the end date was pushed back by 16 days from August 12 to August 28, expanding the duration of tropical nights by about 40 days.
The Korea Meteorological Administration analyzed that the North Pacific High, which brings hot and humid air during the summer, has expanded toward South Korea more rapidly and exerted a greater influence.
It also analyzed that rising sea surface temperatures have caused warm air and water vapor to flow into coastal regions, creating conditions more favorable for the occurrence of tropical nights.
(Reported by Seo Donggyun | Video edited by Lee Hong-myung | Produced by SBS Digital News)
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