Fierce North Pacific High Blocks Typhoons But Triggers Heatwaves

[Anchor]

Instead of the seasonal cooling expected after Cheoseo, heatwave advisories have blanketed the entire country. The North Pacific high-pressure system, which brought extreme heat, is strengthening once again. However, this has also caused four northward-moving typhoons to be blocked by the high-pressure system, bypassing the Korean Peninsula.

Reporter Jeong Gu-hui has the details.

[Reporter]

Under the scorching sun, the asphalt sizzles and heat waves shimmer off the ground.

Water sprays are misting from park benches to cool down the heat, but few citizens can be seen resting outside amid the sweltering weather.

Today (the 24th), Seoul's temperature rose to 32.5°C (91°F), and last night brought the return of a tropical night for the first time in nine days since the 15th.

[Han Ga-yeon and Choi Jung-eun: The sun is so intense that I didn't put on sunscreen and I feel like my skin is going to get burned. It was cool last week, but it suddenly feels like it got way too hot. It feels like summer is back.]

The resurgence of the severe heatwave is due to the North Pacific high-pressure system covering the country expanding its influence.

In addition, the Tibetan high-pressure system has re-developed and expanded over eastern China, and the downdrafts created by the Tibetan high are making the underlying North Pacific high even stronger.

Looking at satellite imagery, an unusual four typhoons are visible.

Typhoon Saudel, the 18th, and Goni, the 19th, can be seen.

The 21st typhoon, Atsani, formed today, while the 20th typhoon, Ketsana, weakened into a rain cloud formation this afternoon.

All four of these typhoons are blocked by the North Pacific and Tibetan high-pressure systems, preventing them from moving northward or approaching our country.

Saudel, currently the strongest among the typhoons, is expected to move westward along the edge of the North Pacific high and pass near Okinawa around the day after tomorrow, before turning toward Taiwan.

Scorching heat with perceived temperatures exceeding 33°C (91°F) will continue tomorrow as well.

However, temperatures are expected to gradually drop thereafter.

Even so, as high-water-temperature phenomena persist and the North Pacific high is likely to maintain its strength through next month, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that temperatures in September will also be higher than average.

(Video reporting: Yang Ji-hun, Video editing: Kim Jin-won, Design: Jeon Yu-geun)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.