Residents and visitors on Jeju Island are gathering at beaches and cold springs to escape a prolonged heat wave this Thursday.

The surge in outdoor activity highlights the struggle of locals to cope with extreme temperatures and a lack of nighttime cooling, forcing many to seek relief in nature.

Temperatures on the island have reached daytime highs of 36.6°C [1]. This heat coincides with "Daeseo," a traditional solar term marking one of the hottest periods of the year, a YTN anchor said.

Crowds have been particularly dense at Samyang Beach and the cold Yongcheon water at Saetdorimul. The spring water is especially attractive to those avoiding the humidity, as it maintains an average temperature of 16°C [2].

Local residents are not only seeking relief during the day but are also venturing out at night. Tropical nights, where temperatures remain high after sunset, have persisted for more than half a month [3].

"It seems like citizens have come out for a nighttime retreat due to the severe tropical nights," the YTN anchor said.

Reporter Ko Jae-hyeong said the presence of the cool Yongcheon water is a primary draw for the crowds.

The combination of high daytime peaks and the inability to cool down at night has created a cycle of heat stress for the population. This has led to a visible increase in the number of people utilizing natural water sources to regulate their body temperatures.

“Daytime highs of 36.6°C and persistent tropical nights drive crowds to Samyang Beach.”

The reliance on Yongcheon water and nighttime beach visits indicates that standard indoor cooling may be insufficient or too costly for some residents during prolonged extreme heat. The trend of 'nighttime retreats' suggests a shift in social behavior to avoid peak daytime temperatures, reflecting the increasing impact of tropical nights on public health and daily routines in Jeju.