'Record-breaking heatwave' continues until next week... Unpredictable typhoon 'Khanun' approaching

On the 2nd, the nationwide heat of the hanjeungmak is expected to continue. With heatwave warnings issued for most regions across the country, the unstable path of Typhoon No. 6 'Khanun' is also expected to exacerbate the heatwave.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecasts that the heatwave and tropical nights will persist until the 11th. The highest perceived temperatures in most regions nationwide will rise to around 35 degrees Celsius, making it very hot, and strong showers are expected in some areas until the day after tomorrow. In regions where showers occur, temperatures will temporarily drop, but once the showers stop, temperatures are expected to rise rapidly again, causing heat discomfort.

According to the KMA, Typhoon Khanun is expected to move slowly and stall near the East China Sea around the 3rd. Initially, Typhoon Khanun was expected to make landfall south of Shanghai, China, but the path changed as Typhoon No. 5 'Doksuri' transformed into a low-pressure system and passed through the middle part of the Tibetan High from the northeast of China. A counterclockwise low-pressure vortex formed directly in front of Khanun's moving direction, and winds blowing from the rear of this vortex blocked Khanun's path, causing a change in direction.

The KMA analyzed that the Tibetan High and the North Pacific High, which affect the Korean Peninsula, have stabilized with a balance of power north of Khanun, causing Khanun to stall in the East China Sea without advancing. As a result, the Korean Peninsula is experiencing overlapping layers of hot and humid air from the North Pacific High and hot and dry air from the Tibetan High, with additional warm and highly humid air being brought in by Khanun.

Predictions for the further path of Typhoon Khanun vary. The Korean numerical weather prediction model (KIM) suggests a scenario in which Khanun eventually makes landfall on the Korean Peninsula, while the UK model (UM) and the European model (ECMWF) predict scenarios where it passes through the sea between Korea and Japan or moves northward toward Osaka, Japan, respectively.

The KMA stated, "Khanun is expected to remain near the East China Sea around the 3rd, then turn and slowly move northeast around the 5th," adding, "It is still not at a level where we can determine which scenario should be given more weight."

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