Which South Korean cities broke October temperature records on Monday?

Seoul reached 30.1 degrees Celsius and Daejeon reached 31.5 degrees. Records were also set in Jeongeup, Cheongju, Gumi, Sangju, Andong, Yeongwol, Wonju, Chuncheon, Jeongseon and Icheon.

Why did temperatures rise unusually high across western South Korea?

Easterly winds crossed the Taebaek Mountains and underwent foehn heating, causing temperatures in western regions to surge. The readings were nearly 10 degrees above seasonal norms.

When will South Korea’s late October heat wave end, and how cold will it become?

Nationwide rain through Tuesday, accompanied by cold air from the north, is expected to end the heat wave. Wednesday morning temperatures are forecast to drop sharply to between 5 and 14 degrees Celsius.

Seoul temperature breaks all-time October record

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Summary

Seoul recorded 30.1 degrees Celsius on Monday, breaking its all-time October temperature record. Daejeon reached 31.5 degrees, while October records were also set in several locations nationwide. The late heat wave will end after rain through Tuesday and an influx of cold air, with Wednesday morning temperatures forecast to fall to between 5 and 14 degrees.

Key Facts

Seoul’s previous October record was set on Oct. 3, 1913, while temperature records there date back to Oct. 1, 1907.
Daejeon surpassed its previous October record of 31.2 degrees, set on Oct. 3, 2021.
October records were also broken in Jeongeup, Cheongju, Gumi, Sangju, Andong, Yeongwol, Wonju, Chuncheon, Jeongseon and Icheon.
Easterly winds crossing the Taebaek Mountains underwent foehn heating, driving temperatures nearly 10 degrees above seasonal norms in western regions.

By Park Ji-won

Published Oct 12, 2026 10:08 pm KST

Pedestrians walk with parasols to protect themselves from the sun in central Seoul, Monday, as daytime temperatures in the capital shattered all-time October high records. Yonhap

Daytime temperatures in Seoul posted 30.1 degrees Celsius, Monday, breaking all-time-high records for October since the country recorded the temperature on Oct. 1, 1907.

Seoul's data for Monday replaced its October record set on Oct. 3, 1913. Under standard meteorological guidelines, the latest temperature replaces the previous record when the numbers are the same.

In Daejeon, midday temperatures soared to 31.5 degrees, also setting a new October high since the data recorded in 1969, surpassing the previous record of 31.2 degrees Celsius set on Oct. 3, 2021.

October temperature records were also broken in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province (31.1 degrees); Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province (30.6 degrees); Gumi (30 degrees), Sangju (29.5 degrees) and Andong (29 degrees) in North Gyeongsang Province; Yeongwol (29.8 degrees), Wonju (29.3 degrees), Chuncheon (28.8 degrees) and Jeongseon (28.8 degrees) in Gangwon Province; and Icheon, Gyeonggi Province (29.1 degrees).

The unseasonable late heat wave will end following nationwide rain through Tuesday, accompanied by an influx of cold air from the north. Morning temperatures on Wednesday are forecast to drop sharply to between 5 and 14 degrees.

Easterly winds are behind the unseasonable late heat, with temperatures nearly 10 degrees above seasonal norms.

As these easterly winds crossed the Taebaek Mountains, they underwent foehn heating, causing temperatures across western regions to surge significantly.

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