Temperatures in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, exceeded 40°C (104°F) during the early afternoon today (July 29).
Following the year before last and last year, this marks the third consecutive year that a region in the country has recorded temperatures surpassing 40°C (104°F).
The occurrence of "40°C in July," previously considered "extremely rare," has also been observed for two consecutive years following last year.
According to Korea Meteorological Administration records, the temperature in Yangsan hit 40°C (104°F) at 3:26 PM today, and climbed further to peak at 40.3°C (104.5°F) at 3:34 PM.
As the sun has not yet set, temperatures may rise even higher.
Since weather observations began in Yangsan on December 26, 2008, temperatures have never risen this high.
This record was broken again just three days after the temperature in Yangsan reached 39.3°C (102.7°F) on July 26, surpassing the previous record of 39.3°C (102.7°F) set on August 3 of the year before last.
Under meteorological recording standards, when values are identical, the most recent record takes precedence.
With another region exceeding 40°C (104°F) this year, evaluations suggest that "40-degree heat" has become the "new normal."
Busan's temperature also climbed to 38.8°C (101.8°F) at 2:56 PM today (based on the Busan Meteorological Station), marking the highest temperature since modern meteorological observations began in Busan on April 9, 1904.
The previous record high was 37.3°C (99.1°F) recorded on August 14, 2016.
In Busan's Buk-gu, temperatures soared to as high as 39.0°C (102.2°F) at 2:30 PM.
Busan borders the Korea Strait, exhibiting maritime climate characteristics.
Because the sea has a higher specific heat than land, it warms up relatively slowly during the summer.
As a result, summer daytime temperatures in Busan, heavily influenced by the sea, tend to rise less than those in inland areas. However, the record was broken due to "double high-pressure heat."
Temperatures in Gimhae, neighboring Busan, also surged to 38.6°C (101.5°F), the second-highest level since observations began in February 2008.
Gimhae's all-time record high is 39.2°C (102.6°F) recorded on August 10, 2013.
The east coast region also experienced high temperatures; Sokcho in Gangwon Province saw temperatures rise to 36.6°C (97.9°F), marking the second-highest July temperature since meteorological observations began on January 1, 1968.
Severe heat is expected to continue for the time being as the North Pacific high pressure and the Tibetan high pressure doubly blanket the country, raising the strong possibility of situations exceeding 40°C (104°F) recurring.
With the two high-pressure systems covering the country, hot and humid air is flowing in from the south, creating a situation where heat is continuously funneled in without escaping.
Due to sinking air currents within the high-pressure zone, clouds fail to develop, allowing intense sunlight to beat down.
The eastern regions are experiencing particularly intense heat compounded by the foehn effect, where winds become much hotter as they cross mountain ranges.
(Photo: Provided by Korea Meteorological Administration, Yonhap News)
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