The daytime temperature in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, hit 41.6°C (106.9°F), breaking its record for the highest temperature ever recorded just a day after setting it.

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

Yangsan's temperature reached 40.0°C (104.0°F) at 12:14 p.m. today (August 1) and climbed to 41°C (105.8°F) at 1:07 p.m.

The previous day, Yangsan's temperature soared to 41.4°C (106.5°F), setting a record high 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 Yangsan's temperature reaches 42.0°C (107.6°F), it would be an unprecedented event.

This is because there has been no case in the country where the temperature reached 42°C (107.6°F), even when including Automated Weather Station (AWS) observation points.

Checking records since 1973, when the weather observation network was expanded nationwide, there are only three instances where temperatures rose higher than in Yangsan the previous day: Jiwol-ri, Chowol-eup, Gwangju, 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, Gyeonggi Province (41.6°C / 106.9°F) on August 4, 2024.

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

Except for the recent case in Yangsan, temperatures in the 40°C range have never been recorded on consecutive days based on climate statistics observation stations.

Even when considering Automated Weather Station observation points, "four days of 40°C" had only previously occurred from August 1 to 4, 2018, when the daily high temperatures in Sinnyeong, Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, consecutively exceeded 40°C during the worst heatwave of the 21st century.

As heat accumulates, the time of day when temperatures in Yangsan rise above 40°C is becoming progressively earlier.

Temperatures first reached the 40°C range at 3:26 p.m. on July 29, 1:10 p.m. on July 30, and 12:36 p.m. on July 31.

Today, it surpassed 40°C at 12:14 p.m.

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

Influenced by the North Pacific high, hot and humid air flows in from the south, and the heat brought in by this air is trapped by the dual high-pressure systems and unable to escape.

Additionally, as air descends from the upper-level Tibetan high-pressure system, clouds capable of blocking sunlight fail to develop.

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

The northwesterly winds become even hotter as they cross over the mountains and blow inward.

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

Besides Yangsan, several other regions in South Gyeongsang Province are suffering from "extreme heatwaves."

In Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, the temperature surpassed 40.0°C (104.0°F) at 1:33 p.m. and hit 40.4°C (104.7°F) at 1:36 p.m.

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

The previous record high was 39.0°C (102.2°F) recorded the previous day, and prior to this year, the 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 weather observations began there on February 13, 2008.

Busan's temperature rose to 37.3°C (99.1°F), marking the third-highest level since weather observations began in Busan on April 9, 1904.