South Korea recorded a national average of 7.1 tropical nights during a summer window in 2024, the highest since records began [1].
This unprecedented spike in overnight temperatures signals a shift in regional climate patterns, posing potential risks to public health and energy infrastructure as cooling demands surge.
Weather reporter Jung Hye-yoon said the Korea Meteorological Administration analyzed data from 62 observation points across the country [1]. The analysis focused on the period from June 1 to July 26, 2024 [1].
According to the data, the average of 7.1 days [1] represents the highest figure since the nation began systematic weather observations in 1973 [2]. This surpasses the previous record set in 1994, when the average was 6.5 days [1].
For comparison, the average number of tropical nights in 2023 was 5.9 days [1]. The current data indicates a significant increase in the frequency of nights where temperatures remain high, disrupting sleep, and increasing heat-related stress for the population.
"The Korea Meteorological Administration analyzed data from 62 observation points across the country. During this period, the national average number of tropical nights recorded was 7.1 days," Jung said [1].
Reports from MSN Weather echoed these findings, noting that the figures represent the first place in historical rankings since the start of national weather observations [2].
“The national average of tropical nights reached 7.1 days.”
The breach of a record held since 1994 suggests that South Korea is experiencing an intensification of the urban heat island effect and broader global warming trends. By surpassing the previous high of 6.5 days, the 2024 data indicates that extreme overnight heat is becoming more frequent, which may necessitate updates to national heat-wave response protocols and urban planning to mitigate nocturnal heat retention.
