Early Summer Heat... Lasting Two Days Until Wednesday

On Tuesday the 16th, the daytime high temperature rose to 34 degrees Celsius, bringing an early summer heat wave.

Despite being mid-May, the mercury level corresponds to the average temperature at the end of July, due to warm southwesterly winds flowing into the Korean Peninsula. This heat wave is expected to last for two days and then drop to average temperatures once the southwesterly winds leave the peninsula.

On the 16th, when the highest daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 30 degrees Celsius, foreign tourists visiting the Myeongdong shopping street in Jung-gu, Seoul, cooled off by eating ice cream. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

The forecasted high temperatures for major cities on the 16th are △Seoul 30°C △Incheon 25°C △Chuncheon 30°C △Gangneung 33°C △Daejeon 31°C △Daegu 33°C △Jeonju 31°C △Gwangju 31°C △Busan 24°C △Jeju 28°C.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "Daytime temperatures will rise above 30°C mainly in inland areas and along the East Coast, with some parts of the East Coast of Gangwon Province and inland Gyeongsang region reaching above 33°C."

Due to strong sunlight during the day, the ultraviolet index and ozone concentration will also soar. Nationwide, the ultraviolet index is forecasted to be very high, and ozone levels are expected to be at a bad level.

The forecasted high temperatures for major cities on the 17th are △Seoul 27°C △Incheon 24°C △Chuncheon 28°C △Gangneung 32°C △Daejeon 30°C △Daegu 31°C △Jeonju 30°C △Gwangju 30°C △Busan 24°C △Jeju 26°C. However, the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to remain below 31°C, so the Korea Meteorological Administration does not anticipate issuing a heatwave advisory.

Meanwhile, fine dust levels are forecasted to be 'normal' across all regions due to smooth atmospheric dispersion.