South Korean authorities re-issued a heat-wave warning for Seoul and surrounding regions on Monday as temperatures climbed into the mid-30s Celsius [1].
The extreme heat coincides with a delayed monsoon season, potentially disrupting agricultural cycles and increasing public health risks during the typical transition to wetter weather.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the warning was reinstated for Seoul after a 10-day interval [1]. The advisory also extends to Incheon-Ganghwa, Sejong, and 15 locations within Gyeonggi Province, as well as Cheongju in Chungbuk and Gongju in Chungnam [1].
Recent temperature readings highlight the intensity of the heat. Seoul reached 32.5 °C [1], while Hanam-Dukpung-dong in Gyeonggi Province recorded 35.3 °C [1]. In Chungnam, Gongju-Yugu-eup reached 34.5 °C [1].
Forecaster Kim Byung-kwon and other KMA officials said the spike was due to strong solar radiation and high temperatures. These conditions, combined with low-pressure systems and tropical disturbances, have pushed back the arrival of the seasonal rains.
Meteorologists expect the monsoon to begin in Jeju Island on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 [2]. This start date is later than the usual seasonal onset [1].
Forecasts for the following day suggest that the heat will persist. Seoul is expected to see a low temperature of 33 °C [2]. Overall, temperatures are forecast to remain roughly five °C higher than the historical average [2].
An anchor for YTN News said that the heat-wave warning returned to Seoul after 10 days as the weather grew stronger. The broadcaster also said that the delayed monsoon may finally begin in Jeju tomorrow.
“Seoul is expected to see a low temperature of 33 °C.”
The convergence of an intensified heat wave and a delayed monsoon indicates a volatile atmospheric pattern for the region. When the monsoon finally arrives after a period of extreme heat, the resulting temperature contrast can lead to more erratic and intense precipitation patterns, increasing the risk of flash flooding in urban centers like Seoul.
