Today (Aug. 7), the final surge of the extreme heatwave brought temperatures exceeding 40°C to several observation points, including Nowon-gu in Seoul.
According to records from the Korea Meteorological Administration's Automatic Weather System (AWS), the temperature reached 40.2°C at the equipment installed in Nowon-gu at 3:28 p.m. today.
This marks the first time a temperature exceeding 40°C has been recorded at an observation point in Seoul since August 1, 2018.
At that time, a temperature of 41.8°C was recorded by the AWS equipment located in Gangbuk-gu.
Yesterday, the AWS equipment in Yeongdeungpo-gu recorded a temperature of 40.0°C, but that equipment was installed on the rooftop of an elementary school 12 meters above the ground, making its recorded value suitable only for reference purposes.
This is because the equipment is subject to direct heating from solar radiation, as well as influences from building radiation and air conditioner outdoor units.
Based on the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno-gu, Seoul's representative temperature rose to 38.0°C.
Today, the observation point in Deokpung-dong, Hanam, Gyeonggi Province, briefly surged to 40.7°C.
Additionally, the temperature in Gwangyang-eup, Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, rose to 40.2°C.
Many regions saw temperatures soar close to 40°C, such as Yeongwol in Gangwon Province, Geumsa-myeon in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and Miryang in South Gyeongsang Province, which all hit 39.8°C.
The Korea Meteorological Administration announced that from June 1 to August 6, the nationwide average number of heatwave days was 14.8, the 4th highest for the same period since the nationwide meteorological observation network was expanded in 1973.
Tropical nights, defined as days where the lowest nighttime temperature remains at or above 25°C, reached a record high of 13.0 days.
While the extreme heatwave continues through today, temperatures are expected to drop slightly starting from the weekend, though it will remain sweltering.
On Saturday, August 8, the nationwide morning lows are forecast to be 21–26°C and daytime highs 26–35°C, while Sunday, August 9, is expected to see lows of 21–26°C and highs of 26–35°C.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.