South Korea issued several severe heat-wave warnings on Saturday as temperatures in some cities reached record highs [1].
The extreme weather poses significant public health risks, as a persistent heat-dome effect prevents nighttime cooling and increases the likelihood of heat-related illnesses.
Authorities issued severe heat-wave warnings for multiple cities, including Daegu and Pohang in Gyeongbuk, Gwangyang in Jeonnam, and Yangsan in Gyeongnam [1]. Other areas under warning include Gyeongju, Miryang, and various parts of the Yeongnam region [1].
In Yangsan, the maximum temperature reached 39.1°C [1]. Meanwhile, temperatures in Gyeongju and Miryang hovered around 38°C [1].
Meteorologists said the spike is caused by a heat-dome formed when the North Pacific high-pressure system and the Tibetan high-pressure system overlap [1]. This atmospheric condition, combined with hot and humid south-west winds, has pushed daytime temperatures higher and kept nights unusually warm [1].
A nationwide tropical-night warning remains in effect. Night-time low temperatures across the country have stayed at 25°C or higher [1].
"Extreme heat does not disappear at night," an anchor for YTN said [1].
Data indicates a significant shift in climate patterns for the region. There has been a three-fold rise in the number of tropical nights over the past 10 years [1].
“Yangsan recorded a maximum temperature of 39.1°C.”
The convergence of the North Pacific and Tibetan high-pressure systems creates a stagnant air mass that traps heat, a phenomenon known as a heat-dome. The reported three-fold increase in tropical nights over a decade suggests that South Korea is experiencing a long-term trend of rising nocturnal temperatures, which limits the body's ability to recover from daytime heat stress and increases the burden on energy grids for cooling.
