Extreme heat is sweeping across South Korea, with daytime temperatures in Pohang and Gyeongsan forecast to reach 37°C [1].
This surge in temperature follows the end of the seasonal rains, known as jangmatbi. The transition has created a volatile environment where high humidity and intense heat combine to increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for the population.
In North Gyeongsang Province, the heat has reached critical levels. While the official forecast for Pohang and Gyeongsan is 37°C [1], an unofficial reading in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan, reached 39.9°C the previous day [2]. These peaks indicate a severe heat wave that is pushing temperatures beyond normal human body temperature.
Weather officials said that the felt temperature, or heat index, in these affected areas is expected to remain over 35°C [3]. The oppressive nature of the weather was highlighted by YTN News reporter Park So-jung, who described the conditions as suffocating.
"It is to the point where you feel breathless," Park said [4]. She said that the extreme heat experienced over the weekend is expected to persist [5].
The heat wave is not limited to the southern provinces. Seoul has recorded its first tropical night of the season [6]. Tropical nights occur when the minimum temperature remains at or above 25°C, preventing the city from cooling down, and increasing the physical strain on residents during sleep.
Local authorities are monitoring the situation as the nationwide heat wave intensifies. The combination of high daytime peaks and warm nights creates a cycle of heat stress that can impact public health, and energy infrastructure across the peninsula.
“"It is to the point where you feel breathless," Park said”
The rapid shift from the rainy season to an extreme heat wave suggests a volatile weather pattern that can overwhelm urban infrastructure. The recording of the first tropical night in Seoul indicates that the heat is not merely a daytime phenomenon but a sustained environmental stressor, likely leading to increased energy demand for cooling and a higher incidence of heatstroke in densely populated areas.
