The Korea Meteorological Administration declared the end of the nationwide monsoon this week, triggering a severe heat wave across South Korea [1].
This shift in weather patterns creates immediate public health risks as surface and air temperatures spike, forcing residents to seek emergency cooling measures to avoid heat-related illnesses.
In Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, the heat has reached critical levels. Daytime air temperatures in the city exceeded 38°C [1]. The intensity of the sun has caused asphalt surface temperatures to approach 60°C [1].
Reporter Jeong Hye-yoon said the scene in Yangsan is a place where the hot sunlight shines down without any gaps [1]. The extreme conditions have disrupted daily life for locals, including those attempting to spend time with children during school breaks.
Moon Ji-young, a resident of Mulgum-eup in Yangsan, said she went out to engage in water activities because it was so hot and the children were on vacation. She said it is very difficult, and that she feels she is only searching for places without heat [1].
The weather shift is driven by the cessation of the monsoon combined with a high-pressure ridge currently positioned over the Korean Peninsula [1, 2]. This atmospheric setup has produced a dramatic rise in both surface and air temperatures.
While the Yeongnam region experienced some of the most extreme readings, other urban centers are also feeling the impact. In Seoul, the felt temperature hovered around 33°C [1]. The high-pressure system continues to trap heat across the region, intensifying the summer peak following the rainy season [1, 2].
“Asphalt temperatures in Yangsan approached 60°C”
The transition from a monsoon season to a high-pressure ridge often creates a 'heat dome' effect in East Asia. When the cooling effect of rain is replaced by stagnant, sinking air, urban environments—particularly those with high asphalt density—experience extreme thermal absorption. This increases the risk of urban heat island effects, making city centers significantly more dangerous than rural areas during peak summer months.
