Weather agency issues 1st nationwide heat warning since 2008
A nationwide heat warning was issued for the first time since 2008 on Thursday as temperatures in most parts of the country soared to 35 degrees Celsius. / Yonhap
By Lee Jin-a, Park Si-soo
The state weather agency issued a nationwide heat wave warning for the first time since 2008 on Thursday as the mercury in most parts of the country soared to 35 degrees Celsius.
The noon high in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, reached 37.7 degrees Celsius, making it the day’s hottest region. Many other cities in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula sizzled with temperatures ranging from 33 to 36 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The unusual heat wave gripping the country for more than a week is forecast to continue next week.
The protracted hot weather also has caused heat-related diseases for more than 1000 people across the country this summer.
“The heat will reach its peak on Friday,” a KMA official said. “The sweltering heat will lose its steam gradually from Aug 16. Nevertheless, the temperature will remain around 30 degrees Celsius in many parts until Aug 20.”
Weather experts said the long heat wave could be blamed on the development of the North Pacific anticyclone system, which is carrying hot and humid air that is keeping temperatures high day and night. Adding to this is a flow of hot air from northern China, they said.