Seoul recorded daytime temperatures between 31.5°C and 32°C on Thursday, marking some of the hottest weather the city has seen this year [1], [2].
This sudden spike in temperature during mid-May suggests an early onset of summer conditions. Such volatility in spring weather patterns can disrupt agricultural cycles and increase early-season energy demands for cooling across the peninsula.
Meteorologists attribute the heat to a high-pressure ridge currently positioned over the Korean Peninsula [1]. This system has created clear skies and allowed for strong, direct sunlight to heat the surface. Additionally, easterly winds crossing the Taebaek Mountains have further dried and warmed the air before it reaches urban centers [1].
Reports indicate that the heat is not limited to the capital. High temperatures were also noted in Yeoju, Wonju, and Gwangju, as well as several eastern coastal cities [1], [3]. In Gwangju, temperatures reached 30°C during the period [3].
Forecasts suggest the trend will continue. Some reports indicate that temperatures in western regions could rise another two to five degrees compared to previous days [3]. This early-summer heat is expected to persist until early next week [1].
Local residents have noted the rapid transition. An anchor for YTN said that the weather on May 14 was the hottest of the year so far in various parts of the country [1]. Other reports said that the temperature on May 15 was expected to be even higher than the previous day, potentially hitting 32°C [2].
“Seoul recorded daytime temperatures between 31.5°C and 32°C on Thursday”
The occurrence of 30°C+ temperatures in mid-May is an anomaly that points to the influence of specific atmospheric blocks, such as the high-pressure ridge, combining with topographical heating effects. When summer-like heat arrives this early, it often signals a volatile transition season that can stress urban infrastructure and public health systems before official summer contingency plans are activated.
