[Issue Summary] Seoul's First Ever 'June Tropical Night'... Gangneung Observes 'Super Tropical Night' for the First Time in 9 Years

Tropical Nights Observed in June in Seoul, Suwon, Daejeon, Mokpo
First Super Tropical Night in 9 Years in Gangneung Since 2018

[Asia Economy PD Yoon Jin-geun] Tropical nights in June are occurring nationwide in Seoul, Suwon in Gyeonggi Province, Daejeon, Mokpo, and other regions.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, Seoul recorded a daily minimum temperature exceeding 25 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days on the 26th and 27th, marking tropical nights on both days. Additionally, as of the 29th, tropical nights were observed nationwide with daily minimum temperatures of 26.1 degrees in Sokcho, 25.1 degrees in Hongseong, 25 degrees in Mokpo, and 25 degrees in Daejeon.

A tropical night is defined as a day when the minimum temperature from 6:01 PM to 9:00 AM the next day remains at or above 25 degrees Celsius. This is the first time since the Korea Meteorological Administration began observations that tropical nights have occurred in June in regions such as Seoul, Daejeon, and Mokpo.

Gangneung recorded a minimum temperature of 30.1 degrees Celsius, marking the first occurrence of a super tropical night in nine years since August 2018.

On the 15th, as hot and humid weather continues nationwide, the artificial waterfall at Yongma Waterfall Park in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, is pouring out a refreshing stream of water. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued heatwave warnings for most areas, and tropical nights are expected in many places at night, forecasting relentless heat day and night throughout this week. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The nationwide early arrival of tropical nights is due to hot and humid southwesterly winds. The sea surface temperature south of Japan was 29 degrees Celsius, higher than average, forming a North Pacific High that brought hot and humid winds toward the Korean Peninsula. At the same time, a low-pressure system passed north of the Korean Peninsula, increasing the pressure difference with the North Pacific High. The Korea Meteorological Administration analyzed that this caused the early tropical nights.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted that on the 29th, tropical nights would appear mainly along parts of the East Coast, Jeju Island coast, Chungcheong region, and southern inland areas.