South Korea is facing a severe heatwave that could push national temperatures above 40°C [1] following the conclusion of the monsoon season.
This forecast signals a period of extreme environmental stress for the population, as the combination of high humidity and intense sunlight creates dangerous conditions. The rapid rise in temperature following the rains increases the risk of heat-related illnesses and puts pressure on the national power grid.
Kim Seung-bae, head of the Korea Natural Disaster Association, said that heatwave and tropical night alerts have been issued across the country [1]. He said that the number of heatwave days and tropical nights, where temperatures remain high throughout the night, has clearly increased [1].
According to Kim, the current weather pattern acts like adding another blanket over the land, trapping heat and preventing cooling [1]. He said that once the monsoon ends, a severe heatwave is waiting to take hold before the arrival of autumn [1].
Immediate concerns center on the current night's temperatures. Kim said that tonight, temperatures will not drop below 25°C [2], meeting the official criteria for a tropical night [2]. This lack of nocturnal cooling prevents the human body from recovering from daytime heat, compounding the physical toll on citizens.
Experts attribute the sudden spike to the intensity of sunlight that follows the cessation of rain. The association said that these conditions are likely to persist in various forms until the seasonal transition to autumn occurs [1].
““All this summer, once the monsoon ends, what is waiting is the heatwave,” said Kim Seung-bae.”
The projection of temperatures exceeding 40°C indicates an intensifying trend of extreme weather in East Asia. When tropical nights—defined by temperatures staying above 25°C—coincide with record-breaking daytime highs, it creates a cumulative heat effect that increases mortality risks for vulnerable populations and stresses urban infrastructure.
