Yangsan city in Gyeongsangnam-do recorded a daytime high of 41.6 °C [1], breaking South Korea's all-time temperature record.
This extreme heat signals an intensifying weather pattern in the region, as the city has faced temperatures above 40 °C for four consecutive days [1]. The rapid succession of record-breaking peaks places significant stress on public health infrastructure and urban energy grids.
The new record of 41.6 °C [1] surpassed the previous day's high of 41.4 °C [2]. This sequence marks the first time in recorded history, dating back to 1904, that temperatures above 41 °C were recorded for two consecutive days [2].
Local residents described the conditions as oppressive. Choi Jae-sung, a resident of Yangju-dong in Yangsan, said that without a fan, sweat continues to flow, and the heat is so intense that people must keep air conditioners and fans running constantly at home.
The heat wave has persisted across the Gyeongsangnam-do province, pushing the region toward unprecedented thermal limits. The record-breaking spike in Yangsan is the culmination of a prolonged period of extreme warmth that has kept daytime highs well above the typical seasonal average.
City officials and weather services continue to monitor the situation as the heat wave affects the wider region. The persistence of these temperatures, staying above 40 °C for nearly a work week, underscores the severity of the current atmospheric conditions.
“Yangsan city in Gyeongsangnam-do recorded a daytime high of 41.6 °C, breaking South Korea's all-time temperature record.”
The occurrence of two consecutive days above 41 °C for the first time since 1904 indicates a shift in the baseline of extreme weather events in South Korea. This suggests that previous historical ceilings for temperature are being breached more frequently, potentially requiring a reassessment of urban cooling strategies and emergency health protocols for heat-related illnesses.
