Korea Trapped Under a Stifling Heat Dome... A Strong Heatwave Is Coming

Heatwave and Tropical Nights Intensify from the 20th
High Pressure Creates 'Heat Dome' in Upper and Middle Atmosphere
Extreme Heat Similar to 2018's Pressure System

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Starting next week, heatwaves and tropical nights will intensify. If the summer high-pressure system occupies both the upper and lower layers of the atmosphere, as it did during the worst heatwave recorded in 2018, a similar heatwave could continue.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on the 14th, the North Pacific High will settle in the upper atmosphere, bringing the heatwave starting from the 20th. This year, the monsoon season ended about six days earlier than usual, advancing the start of the intense heat.

A KMA official explained, "From the 20th to 21st, the North Pacific High and Tibetan High will occupy the upper and middle layers of the atmosphere, ending the monsoon season and causing heatwaves and tropical nights to become severe."

The heatwave starting in the latter half of this month is caused by the formation of a "heat dome," where high pressure covers the middle and upper atmosphere with hot heat, making the heat intensity much stronger. This differs from the heatwave earlier this month, which was accompanied by frequent showers due to low pressure located west of Korea drawing in heat. The KMA issues a heatwave advisory when the daily maximum temperature is 33°C or higher for two or more consecutive days, and a heatwave warning when it is 35°C or higher for two or more consecutive days.

According to the KMA, the average number of heatwave days over the past 10 years (2011?2020) has increased by more than three days compared to the past 48 years (1973?2020). Heatwave days increased from 10.1 to 14.0 days. Even when compared to the 10-year average, the recent 10-year trend of increasing heatwave days is prominent. The previous 10 years (2001?2010) averaged 9.2 heatwave days, showing a 4.8-day difference from the recent 10-year average. The years 2018 (1st), 2016 (3rd), and 2013 (4th) are among the top five years with the most heatwave days, with 1994, known for record-breaking heat, ranking 2nd.

This year is also expected to have a hotter summer than usual, raising forecasts of heatwaves similar to those in 2018. In 2018, about half of July and August, 31 days, were recorded as heatwave days. Since the pressure system this year is forming similarly, the possibility of extreme heatwaves is also being raised. A KMA official stated, "For heatwaves to worsen or become extreme, they need to be sustained, so it is too early to make a judgment at this point."

As the number of heatwave days increases, heat-related illnesses also surge. Heatwaves are among the most severe weather disasters, yet awareness of their risks remains low. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of heat-related illness patients was highest in 2018 with 4,526 cases, followed by 1,841 in 2019 and 1,078 in 2020.

This year, the first death from heatstroke occurred on the 25th of last month in Daegu. According to data investigated by Choi Chunsik, a member of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee from the People Power Party, 97 people have died over the past five and a half years. The annual death toll is △2016: 17 △2017: 11 △2018: 48 △2019: 11 △2020: 9. The highest number of deaths occurred in 2018 (48), when the heatwave was most severe. Deaths from heatwaves were more frequent among older age groups.

By age group, those aged 80 and above accounted for 34% of the total deaths (97), followed by those in their 70s (17), 40s (15), and 50s (14).

Representative Choi said, "Since heatwaves are included as statutory natural disasters under the Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act, it is necessary to systematically prepare related measures according to current laws, such as proactively operating the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in case of emergencies like heat domes."

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