The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a renewed heat wave warning for Seoul and other inland regions on Tuesday [1, 2].
This return to extreme heat follows a period of intense rainfall, creating a high-humidity environment that increases the risk of heat-related illness for residents in the capital region.
Forecasters said daytime temperatures in Seoul and other inland areas are expected to reach around 33 °C [1]. The sudden shift occurred after extreme heavy rain subsided, allowing a hot and moist high-pressure system to move into the region [1, 2].
Local residents often look forward to "Chuseo magic," a colloquial term for the cooling effect typically associated with the solar term Chuseo [2]. This year, however, the solar term falls on Aug. 23 [2], and officials said the expected dip in temperature is unlikely to happen.
Historically, the cooling trend has been less reliable. On Aug. 23, 2025, the record low morning temperature was 27.4 °C [2]. Current forecasts suggest the oppressive heat will persist through the end of August, bypassing the traditional seasonal transition [1, 2].
"As soon as the extreme heavy rain subsided, the sweltering heat arrived," a YTN anchor said [1].
Officials said that the combination of high temperatures and moisture will maintain a "steamer-like" environment across the peninsula [1]. The Korea Meteorological Administration said the influence of the hot high-pressure system will keep temperatures elevated in the coming days [1].
“Daytime temperatures in Seoul and other inland areas are expected to reach around 33 °C.”
The absence of 'Chuseo magic' reflects a broader trend of shifting seasonal patterns in East Asia, where traditional solar terms no longer reliably predict temperature drops. The transition from extreme precipitation to intense heat underscores the volatility of the region's current climate cycle, extending the period of high energy demand for cooling and increasing public health risks into late August.
