Causes of Global Warming, Unprecedented Weather Records in South Korea Last Year

KMA Announces 2019 Annual Weather Characteristics
Average Temperature Second Highest Since 1973 Observation
Late May Heat Exceeds 30 Degrees

7 Influential Typhoons, October Rainfall Record High
January Lowest Rainy Days, Snow Instead of Rain

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The highest average maximum temperature ever recorded, the lowest number of rainy days on record, and the longest sunshine duration... Climate change caused by global warming has completely transformed the history of meteorological observations. Reviewing last year's weather records reveals a series of unprecedented extreme weather anomalies, including record highs and lows.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration's "2019 Annual Weather Characteristics" released on the 16th, the annual average temperature in South Korea last year was recorded at 13.5°C. This is the second highest temperature since official observations began in 1973. The highest was 13.6°C in 2016. When averaging only the daily maximum temperatures, the figure was 19.1°C, marking the highest ever recorded.

The phenomenon of early arrival of heat also became more pronounced. In May last year, the nationwide average temperature was 18.6°C, the second highest since 1973. The average maximum temperature in May was 25.5°C, ranking first, and the sunshine duration was 298.2 hours, breaking the record for the longest duration ever. Toward the end of May, some regions experienced daily maximum temperatures exceeding 30°C. On May 24, 2019, Cheorwon and Jeju recorded 32.5°C and 33.1°C respectively, and on the 25th, Donghae reached 33.3°C and Uljin climbed to 35.6°C. The heat arrived early and lingered late. The nationwide average temperature during autumn (September to November) last year was 15.4°C, ranking second since 1975 (15.5°C).

September sea surface temperature (1st) and 500hPa (approximately 5.5 km altitude) pressure system (black) and affected typhoon paths (Provided by Korea Meteorological Administration)

Climate change did not only mean "higher temperatures." Although temperatures in all months last year were above average, April was an exception. The average temperature in April was 12°C, lower than the usual 12.2°C. Frost damage to fruit trees occurred mainly in Chungbuk and Jeonnam, where temperatures dropped below freezing in April.

Many records were also broken in the fields of rainfall and typhoons. Due to continued mild and dry weather, January last year was recorded as the month with the least rainfall in observation history. The number of rainy days was only 2.8, and the sunshine duration reached 219.5 hours, the longest ever recorded.

Typhoons visited the Korean Peninsula more frequently than ever since modern meteorological work began in 1904. A total of 29 typhoons occurred, with 7 affecting the Korean Peninsula. As a result, the average rainfall in October reached 169.0 mm, also a record high. In December last year, rain fell more than snow. The snowfall was 0.3 cm, ranking the lowest on record. Kim Jong-seok, head of the Korea Meteorological Administration, said, "Extreme weather events will continue to occur frequently, and uncertainties will increase. We will strive to provide services for public safety and convenience amid these highly variable conditions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.