Starting This Year, 'Heatwave Alert Standards and Typhoon Forecasts' Will Change Significantly

Change in 'Feels-like Temperature' Standard Considering Humidity Alongside Temperature

Guidelines for Differentiated Heatwave Response for General Public and Vulnerable Groups

Expansion of Tropical Depression Forecasts and Introduction of 'S

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Regional Meteorological Administration (Director Lee Miseon) announced on the 26th that it will pilot a warning system based on the heat index instead of temperature criteria for heatwave warnings.

The existing heatwave warning criteria issue a ‘Heatwave Advisory’ when the daily maximum temperature is expected to be 33℃ or higher for two or more consecutive days, and a ‘Heatwave Warning’ when the daily maximum temperature is expected to be 35℃ or higher for two or more consecutive days.

The improved heatwave warning will issue a ‘Heatwave Advisory’ when the daily maximum heat index is expected to be 33℃ or higher for two or more consecutive days, or when a rapid rise in heat index or prolonged heatwave is expected to cause significant damage.

A ‘Heatwave Warning’ will be issued when the daily maximum heat index is expected to be 35℃ or higher for two or more consecutive days, or when a rapid rise in heat index or prolonged heatwave is expected to cause significant damage over a wide area.

This change is because the daily maximum temperature alone does not adequately reflect actual heatwave damage, and there is a need to integrate heat-related information.

Additionally, differentiated impact information will be provided for the general public and vulnerable groups in the health sector.

The sectors with minimal impact from heatwaves, such as transportation, fire, and power outages, have been integrated, improving from the existing seven sectors (health, industry, livestock, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, transportation, power) to six sectors (health (general public and vulnerable groups), industry, livestock, agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, others (transportation, fire, power outages)).

Along with this, typhoon forecast information will also be improved.

First, the forecast period for tropical depressions has been extended. Tropical depressions that develop in low latitudes can evolve into typhoons, and route prediction information will be provided at the tropical depression stage.

This aims to provide information on typhoons that form at high latitudes or rapidly move northward affecting South Korea, for the purpose of preemptive damage prevention.

The highest intensity grade for typhoons has also been newly established. The existing three-tier typhoon classification?Moderate (maximum wind speed near the center 90 to less than 119 km/h), Strong (119 to less than 158 km/h), and Very Strong (158 km/h or higher)?now includes a new ‘Super Strong’ category for maximum wind speeds near the center of 194 km/h or higher.

Furthermore, analysis of typhoons over the past 30 years showed no clear correlation between typhoon intensity and size, leading to the removal of size classifications such as small and medium, and the addition of storm radius information.

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