Weather service says heat waves to become more severe
A man pours ice water over himself in a performance following a press conference by the Korean Construction Workers’ Union on extreme heat conditions held in front of the National Policy Planning Committee in Jongno District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Heat waves gripping Korea over the past weeks are expected to intensify in coming days, the state weather service said Wednesday, with daytime highs set to range from 32 degrees Celcius to 38 degrees nationwide.
Seogwipo of the southern Jeju Island experienced a 15th consecutive tropical night Tuesday, while Seoul's tropical night entered the 10th consecutive day, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said.
The heat waves will become more severe through this weekend and the temperatures will not cool down at night, as the nation continues to be covered by a double layer of high pressure, the KMA said. On top of the dual influences of the North Pacific high and the Tibetan high, hot and humid southeasterly winds have also been blowing into the peninsula over the past week.
The southeasterly winds are expected to blow even stronger due to a typhoon currently moving northwest in the sea southeast of Shanghai, China, the KMA said.
Temperatures will soar to 38 degrees in the central city of Daejeon on Wednesday and 36 degrees in both Seoul and the southeastern city of Daegu, the agency said.