First Severe Heatwave Warning Issued for Seoul Capital Area as Scorching Weather Persists All Week

[Anchor]

The extreme heatwave that previously scorched the Yeongnam region has now shifted toward western areas, including the greater Seoul metropolitan area. A severe heatwave warning has been issued for the capital region for the first time, with temperatures in Seoul forecasted to hover around 37°C (99°F) throughout the week.

Reporter Seo Donggyun has the details.

[Reporter]

Today (August 3), the mercury in Seoul soared to 36.7°C (98°F), marking the highest temperature of the year.

[Kim Eun-ryul / Seodaemun-gu, Seoul: It takes your breath away, and you just keep thinking about how you do not want to go outside. If I do not use a parasol, I feel like I might die, so I carry it around.]

[Kim Saem-ha / Seodaemun-gu, Seoul: Walking around outside with the sunlight and humidity is just so tough.]

Looking around the Yeouido Hangang Park area through a thermal imaging camera, not only the asphalt roads but even the park grounds appear glowing red.

Surface temperatures reach up to 50°C (122°F).

Buildings baked in the sunlight all day are displayed in deep red.

The highest tier of heatwave advisories, a severe heatwave warning, has been issued for Seoul and parts of Gyeonggi Province.

This marks the first time a severe heatwave warning has been issued for the capital area.

While blistering heat continues in the Yeongnam region—with Goryeong in Gyeongsangbuk-do reaching 41.2°C (106°F) and Miryang in Gyeongsangnam-do hitting 41°C (106°F)—easterly winds crossing the mountain ranges have begun pumping hot air into western regions starting today.

Severe heatwave warnings were also issued across various parts of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, including Gwangyang, which recorded 41.1°C (106°F).

Yangsan in Gyeongnam, which shattered all-time weather observation records by exceeding 40°C (104°F) for five consecutive days, saw temperatures stop at 39.4°C (103°F) today.

With another death reported in Incheon, the number of fatalities from heat-related illnesses this year has risen to 16.

Cumulative heat-related illness patients have surpassed 2,000.

Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the season, is moving westward over waters approximately 2,200 kilometers away from South Korea.

Dolphin is expected to pass through the waters west of Okinawa, Japan, around Saturday this week, though it remains uncertain whether it will affect South Korea's pressure systems.

(Camera Reporter: Seol Chi-hwan, Kim Se-kyung | Video Editor: Lee Seung-jin | Designer: Seo Hyun-jung, Im Chan-hyuk)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.