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The daytime temperature in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do surpassed 42 degrees today (August 2), breaking South Korea's record for the highest temperature ever recorded.
As of 1:26 PM today, Yangsan recorded a daytime temperature of 42.5°C (108.5°F).
This comes just a day after yesterday's high of 41.6°C (106.9°F) broke the previous record, setting new highs on consecutive days.
Yangsan's reading of 42.5°C (108.5°F) is an unprecedented event in the 122-year history of modern meteorological observation in South Korea.
Modern weather observations in the country began in 1904, and temperatures higher than today's reading in Yangsan have never been recorded before.
The 42.5°C (108.5°F) reading is the highest temperature ever recorded, even when considering not only the 97 climatological observation stations (Automated Synoptic Observing System points) where the Korea Meteorological Administration manages temperature rankings, but also the approximately 550 Automatic Weather System (AWS) stations nationwide (as of 2025).
Looking at the Korea Meteorological Administration's compiled AWS records since 1973, there were instances where yesterday's high in Yangsan (41.6°C / 106.9°F) was exceeded—such as 41.9°C (107.4°F) in Jiwol-ri, Chowol-eup, Gju-si, Gyeonggi-do and 41.8°C (107.2°F) in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul on August 1, 2018, and 41.6°C (106.9°F) in Geumsa-myeon, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-do on August 4, 2024—but temperatures in the 42-degree Celsius range had never been recorded.
Typically, the highest temperature of the day occurs about two hours after the sun reaches its highest point. Since the sun peaks around 12:30 PM, the peak temperature is often recorded between 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM, or between 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Therefore, the possibility that temperatures in Yangsan could rise above 43°C (109.4°F) today cannot be ruled out.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
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