It's Only June, Yet 'Heatwave Warning' Already Issued... Peak Heat Expected on the 19th

Rain mainly in the southern region from the 20th... Temperatures to ease
Heatwave days this year expected to be 10-14, more than average

As the heatwave continued throughout last weekend, the first heatwave advisory of the year was issued across various parts of the country, including Seoul, marking an earlier-than-usual arrival of midsummer heat. However, the situation is expected to ease starting tomorrow.

'Heatwave advisory will be in effect in the Seoul area starting from 11 a.m.'
An emergency alert message arrived on the cellphone with a loud notification sound. This is not the typical midsummer situation of late July to early August. It is a heatwave advisory issued in mid-June. Due to global warming, the entire world is suffering from abnormal weather patterns. The distinct four seasons in South Korea are now a thing of the past. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

◆Heatwave Peaks on the 19th... Eases from the 20th＝The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued a heatwave advisory at 11 a.m. on the 18th, a holiday, for Seoul, inland Gyeonggi Province, Yeongseo region of Gangwon Province, and inland Jeolla region. A heatwave advisory is issued when the daily maximum perceived temperature is expected to remain at or above 33℃ for two or more consecutive days, or when a rapid rise in perceived temperature or prolonged heatwave is expected to cause significant damage. This heatwave is forecasted to peak on the afternoon of the 19th. The KMA expects daytime temperatures to rise above 30 degrees Celsius mainly in inland areas, making it hotter than the previous day. The nationwide daytime high temperatures on this day are forecasted to range from 24 to 35 degrees Celsius.

The expected highest temperatures by region on the 19th are Seoul 35℃, Incheon 32℃, Suwon 34℃, Chuncheon 34℃, Gangneung 27℃, Cheongju 34℃, Daejeon 35℃, Jeonju 34℃, Gwangju 35℃, Daegu 31℃, Busan 28℃, and Jeju 29℃.

This heatwave advisory is analyzed to be due to the wind direction changing along the high-pressure system over the East Sea affecting Korea, causing east winds to cross the Taebaek Mountains, becoming hotter and drier as they pass over the mountain range, thereby raising temperatures in the western regions.

From the 20th, the approaching low-pressure system over the West Sea is expected to cover the sky with clouds and bring rain mainly to areas south of Chungcheong Province. The rising temperature trend is expected to subside somewhat after peaking on the 19th.

◆Number of Heatwave Days This Year Likely to Exceed Average＝The KMA forecasts that the number of heatwave days in Korea this year will be between 10 and 14 days, similar to or slightly above the average. The average annual number of heatwave days over the past 20 years is 10.5 days.

There is a high possibility of regional heatwaves occurring in the latter part of this month, and the number of heatwave days is expected to increase in August due to the influence of the North Pacific air mass. In July, the likelihood of prolonged heatwaves is low due to the monsoon season, but the increase in atmospheric moisture is expected to raise the chances of tropical nights.

On the 16th, the government held an “Emergency Heatwave Countermeasure Inspection Meeting” with participation from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments to organize local governments’ on-site response readiness. Regular patrols and distribution of heatwave prevention supplies and bottled water are being conducted in socially and economically vulnerable residential areas such as shantytowns and homeless clusters. For high-risk farmers, officials plan to manage them through visits and phone contacts when heatwave advisories are issued.

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