Today's Highs Reach 26 to 36 Degrees Celsius
Sudden Torrential Downpours Hit Some Areas
Sweltering Heat Expected Until at Least the 16th
North Pacific High-Pressure Expansion a Key Factor
Since October 1907, when meteorological observations began, this July has been the hottest on record. While heatwave warnings have been issued nationwide, Seoul has also experienced sudden torrential downpours, resulting in widespread damage.
On the 8th, during the ongoing heatwave, a farmer in a field in Dasan-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongbuk, wipes sweat while pulling weeds. Photo by Yonhap News
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the highest temperatures on July 9 are forecast to range from 26 to 36 degrees Celsius. Showers are expected in Jeju Island in the afternoon, in the Incheon and western coastal areas of Gyeonggi Province in the late afternoon, and along the southern east coast of Gyeongbuk at night.
This week’s highest temperatures are the highest ever recorded. At 3:06 p.m. on July 8, the temperature in Seoul (measured at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno-gu) reached 37.7 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 36.8 degrees set on July 9, 1939, for the first time in 86 years. This is the hottest early July in 117 years. Other cities, including Incheon (35.6 degrees), Busan (34.5 degrees), and Daejeon (36.3 degrees), also recorded their highest temperatures.
Cold air flowing in behind a pressure trough approaching from the northwest has collided with the hot air mass over the country, resulting in sudden, localized heavy downpours. At 6:50 p.m. on July 8, heavy rain warnings and advisories were issued for the southwestern and northwestern areas of Seoul. Intense rainfall of up to 68 millimeters per hour was recorded, and cumulative precipitation reached as much as 80 millimeters. As a result, roads in several areas were flooded, causing traffic congestion and accidents on wet roads.
This sweltering heat is expected to continue at least until around July 16. Due to the influence of a high-pressure system over the northern East Sea, clear skies and easterly winds are bringing intense heat, especially to the western side of the Taebaek Mountains. The easterly winds causing the heat on the west side of the Taebaek Mountains are expected to subside around July 11. However, after that, southwesterly winds will blow between a pressure trough approaching from the northwest and a high-pressure system to the south of Korea, bringing in hot and humid air and resulting in muggy weather. The eastern side of the Taebaek Mountains is expected to become extremely hot again. It remains uncertain whether the heat will subside after July 16. If the North Pacific high-pressure system expands again, it could send southerly winds into Korea or cover the country entirely, potentially causing another heatwave.
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