Yangsan, Gyeongnam, Breaks All-Time High Temperature Record Again... Reaches New Record of 41.6°C (106.9°F)

The daytime temperature in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, soared to 41.6°C (106.9°F), breaking the all-time high temperature record just a day after setting it.

Temperatures have exceeded 40°C (104°F) for four consecutive days.

The temperature in Yangsan reached 40.0°C (104.0°F) at 12:14 PM today (August 1) before hitting 41°C (105.8°F) at 1:07 PM.

The previous day, the temperature in Yangsan rose to 41.4°C (106.5°F), setting the highest temperature record since modern meteorological observations began in South Korea in 1904, based on the 97 climate observation stations managed by the Korea Meteorological Administration.

The previous record high was 41.0°C (105.8°F) recorded in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, on August 1, 2018.

If the temperature in Yangsan climbs to 42.0°C (107.6°F), it will be an unprecedented event.

This is because there has never been a case in the country where temperatures reached 42°C (107.6°F), even when including Automated Weather Station (AWS) observation points.

Checking records since 1973, when the nationwide meteorological observation network was expanded, there are only three instances where temperatures rose higher than yesterday's reading in Yangsan: Jiwol-ri, Chowol-eup, Gju City, Gyeonggi Province (41.9°C / 107.4°F) on August 1, 2018; Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (41.8°C / 107.2°F) on the same day; and Geumsa-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi Province (41.6°C / 106.9°F) on August 4, 2024.

In Yangsan, temperatures in the 40°C (104°F) range have been recorded for four consecutive days since July 29.

Except for the current case in Yangsan, temperatures in the 40°C (104°F) range have never been recorded on consecutive days based on climate statistics observation points.

Even considering Automated Weather Station observation points, four consecutive days of 40°C (104°F) had previously occurred only once, when the daily highest temperatures in Sinnyeong, Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, consecutively exceeded 40°C (104°F) from August 1 to 4, 2018, during the worst heatwave of the 21st century.

As heat accumulates, the time of day when temperatures in Yangsan rise above 40°C (104°F) is gradually becoming earlier.

Temperatures first entered the 40°C (104°F) range at 3:26 PM on July 29, 1:10 PM on July 30, and 12:36 PM on July 31.

Today, it surpassed 40°C (104°F) at 12:14 PM.

Heatwaves are continuing nationwide as the North Pacific high-pressure system and the Tibetan high-pressure system doubly blanket the Korean Peninsula.

Due to the influence of the North Pacific high, hot and humid air is flowing in from the south, and the trapped heat is unable to escape being blocked by the dual high-pressure systems.

Furthermore, as airflow descends from the Tibetan high in the upper atmosphere, clouds capable of blocking sunlight fail to develop.

Another reason for the intense heat in the Gyeongnam region, including Yangsan, is that westerly or northwesterly winds predominantly blow in the lower atmosphere close to the ground.

These northwesterly winds become even hotter as they blow across mountain ranges.

In particular, Yangsan is a basin surrounded by mountain ranges such as Cheongseongsan to the east and Sinbulsan to the west, making it an area where once heat flows in, it does not easily escape.

Aside from Yangsan, several other regions in Gyeongnam are suffering from "extreme heatwaves."

In Changwon, Gyeongnam, the temperature surpassed 40.0°C (104.0°F) at 1:33 PM and hit 40.4°C (104.7°F) at 1:36 PM.

This sets a new record high since meteorological observations began in Changwon on July 1, 1985.

The previous record was 39.0°C (102.2°F) recorded the previous day, and prior to this year, the highest peak was 39.0°C (102.2°F) on July 20, 1994.

Gimhae also recorded 40.1°C (104.2°F), the highest temperature since meteorological observations began there on February 13, 2008.

Temperatures in Busan rose to 37.3°C (99.1°F), marking the third-highest level since weather observations began in Busan on April 9, 1904.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.