Typhoon and Ipchu Couldn't Stop the Heatwave... Occasional Showers Until the Weekend

Typhoon Khanun has passed, and although ten days have passed since Ipchu, which marks the beginning of autumn, the heatwave that has trapped the entire country in a steam chamber has continued for several days. This heatwave is expected to persist until next week.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) on the 18th, as of the morning, heatwave warnings have been issued for most of the country except the east coast, with daytime high temperatures expected to range from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius. In particular, the heatwave warnings issued for Seoul, Incheon, and the Gyeonggi region have continued for six days. The KMA repeatedly emphasized preparedness for heat-related illnesses. As of the 15th, there have been 2,335 cases of heat-related illnesses nationwide, with 29 deaths.

The KMA expects the heatwave to continue nationwide, except for the east coast, with high temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius and apparent temperatures near 33 degrees Celsius through the weekend. The KMA forecasted, “Strong sunlight and high humidity will continue for the time being, and heatwave warnings, which are issued when the apparent temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius, are likely to persist.”

This heatwave is occurring as clear weather causes sunlight reaching the ground surface to raise temperatures, and the warm and humid air flowing in after the typhoon’s dissipation increases the apparent temperature. Additionally, according to the KMA’s observations of temperatures this summer in various environments such as asphalt and green spaces, the highest temperature recorded in parks and green areas was 33.6 degrees Celsius, whereas in urban residential areas and on asphalt, the highest temperature soared to 37.7 degrees Celsius, indicating that the apparent temperature experienced by city residents is even higher.

Occasional showers provide momentary relief by lowering temperatures briefly, but this effect is expected to be short-lived. On the 18th and 19th, showers of 5 to 30 mm are forecasted for the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, Chungcheong, eastern Jeonnam and Jeonbuk, and Jeju, while 5 to 60 mm of rain is expected in the Gyeongsang region. This is because cold air from the north is present in the upper atmosphere, while warm and humid air from the southern sea continues to flow into the lower atmosphere, maintaining an unstable atmospheric environment. In areas with unstable air, strong rain clouds can form anytime and anywhere, often resulting in localized and intense showers.

A KMA official stated, “The North Pacific high pressure system, which had retreated to the east of the Korean Peninsula, is expanding back toward our country, and a low-pressure cyclone is rising from the south,” adding, “These factors contribute to rising temperatures and are expected to sustain the heatwave for the time being.”

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