Seoul Records Highest Temperature Since 1908... Hottest July on Record

Scorching Heat to Last Until at Least the 16th
Uncertainty Remains Over When Temperatures Will Ease

Since October 1907, when modern meteorological observations began in Seoul, the hottest first week of July on record has continued.

On the 7th, children are cooling off by playing in the water with their teacher in the yard of the Gwangju Bukgu Office Workplace Daycare Center. Photo by Yonhap News

At around 3:06 p.m. on the 8th, the temperature in Seoul (based on the Jongno-gu Seoul Meteorological Observatory) rose to 37.7 degrees Celsius, setting a new record for the highest temperature in early July (1st to 10th). The previous record for the highest temperature in early July in Seoul was 36.8 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 9, 1939, meaning a new record has been set after 86 years. This is the hottest day in early July in 117 years.

Incheon and Busan also saw temperatures rise to 35.6 degrees Celsius and 34.5 degrees Celsius, respectively. These are the highest early July temperatures since meteorological observations began in August 1904 and April 1904, respectively. Daejeon recorded 36.3 degrees Celsius, breaking the highest temperature since meteorological observations began there in January 1969. Similarly, Gangwon Wonju (maximum temperature 35.4 degrees Celsius) and Inje (34.8 degrees Celsius), Gyeonggi Suwon (35.7 degrees Celsius) and Icheon (36.8 degrees Celsius), Chungbuk Chungju (35.2 degrees Celsius) and Cheongju (35.7 degrees Celsius), Chungnam Seosan (36.5 degrees Celsius), Cheonan (35.4 degrees Celsius), Boryeong (35.9 degrees Celsius), Buyeo (36.3 degrees Celsius), Jeonbuk Gochang (35.8 degrees Celsius), Jeonnam Mokpo (33.9 degrees Celsius) and Yeonggwang (35.3 degrees Celsius) all experienced similar record-breaking heat.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the nationwide average temperature (excluding Jeju, based on 62 observation sites) from July 1 to 7 was 28.1 degrees Celsius. This is the highest average temperature for the same period since 1973, when the meteorological observation network was expanded nationwide and became the standard for various meteorological records. Over the past week, the heat persisted day and night, and the average daily maximum and minimum temperatures from July 1 to 7 (32.8 degrees Celsius and 24.3 degrees Celsius, respectively) were also the highest since 1973.

This heatwave is expected to continue at least until around the 16th. Currently, due to the influence of a high-pressure system over the northern East Sea, the weather is clear and easterly winds are blowing, resulting in intense heat, especially west of the Taebaek Mountains. The easterly winds that have brought heat to the west of the Taebaek Mountains are expected to subside around the 11th. However, after that, as a trough approaches from the northwest and a high-pressure system remains to the south of Korea, southwesterly winds will blow between them, bringing in hot and humid air and causing muggy weather. During this period, the east side of the Taebaek Mountains is expected to become extremely hot again.

It is uncertain whether the heat will subside after the 16th. If the North Pacific high-pressure system expands again and brings southerly winds into Korea or covers the country, another heatwave could occur.