Sweltering heat wave hits Korea

A scorching heat wave began to grip South Korea on Monday after the monsoon season ended, with heat wave advisories issued for most of the country.

Showers were expected between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday in Seoul and its surrounding area, due to unstable air masses, with daytime high temperatures to stay between 29 degrees Celsius and 35 C.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, a heat wave advisory had been issued for Seoul, Busan, parts of all the provinces and Jeju Island. Heat wave warnings were also in effect in Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Sejong and most of the provinces.

A heat wave advisory is issued when daytime temperatures are expected to stay above 33 C for two consecutive days, while a heat wave warning is issued when temperatures are likely to be above 35 C.

Busan and Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, recorded the tropical night phenomenon for two consecutive days. A tropical night is defined by nighttime lows staying above 25 C.

The heat wave alert could expand to other regions and will continue until Aug. 8, with daytime high temperatures to hover around 31 C to 34 C, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration’s forecast.

By Ock Hyun-ju (laeticia.ock@heraldcorp.com)