South Korea: Severe heat wave forecast to ease slightly this weekend
Seoul, Aug 6
The ongoing extreme heat wave in South Korea is expected to slightly subside this weekend after reaching its peak, the state weather service said Thursday.
The current record-breaking heat is expected to peak on Friday before easing slightly thereafter due to changes in the pressure system over the Korean Peninsula, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
Despite the slight easing of the heat, temperatures are expected to remain above normal next week, with perceived daytime highs reaching around 35 C, the KMA said, Yonhap News Agency reported.
The agency said the present weather pattern, in which the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High sit over the peninsula simultaneously, will continue only until Friday.
Thereafter, the connection between the high-pressure systems will weaken, allowing clouds to move into the upper atmosphere and reduce solar radiation, the KMA said, forecasting heavy rain along the east coast and on the southern island of Jeju over the weekend.
On Friday, morning lows are forecast to range from 22 C to 27 C nationwide, while daytime highs will range from 31 C to 39 C. Seoul is expected to see a low of 27 C and a high of 39 C.
On Saturday, morning temperatures will be 22 C to 27 C, with daytime highs ranging from 27 C to 36 C. Those temperatures will remain above the 30-year averages for the same day (1991-2020), which range from 21 C to 25 C for morning lows and 29 C to 33 C for daytime highs.
Sultry weather is also expected to persist for a week starting Monday under the influence of the North Pacific High, the KMA said, adding daytime highs will remain between 28 C and 36 C during the period.
Meanwhile, health authorities said on Wednesday that 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country grapples with intense heat.
A total of 2,441 patients have visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Tuesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Although fewer people suffered heat-related illnesses this year than during the same period last year, more people died this year, with the death toll surpassing last year's total of 20.
One of the latest fatalities was a 60-year-old man, who was working outside on a farm in the county of Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Tuesday.
Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion accounted for 61.7 per cent, followed by heat stroke at 16.8 per cent and heat cramps at 11.5 per cent.
— IANS
Reader Comments
It's ironic that the Tibetan High is a contributing factor to the heat in South Korea. We often think of the Himalayas as a weather barrier, but this atmospheric phenomenon shows how interconnected the climate system is. The death toll is really sad—21 people lost to heat-related illnesses.
As someone who studied in Korea, I know how humid it gets there. 35°C with high humidity feels like 45°C in India! I really feel for the people, especially those who can't afford air conditioning. Even a slight relief is welcome, but temperatures above 30-year averages next week is still tough.
This reminds me of India's heat wave management. We've learned to adapt with early warning systems and cooling centers, but South Korea might not have the same infrastructure since extreme heat is less common there. The fact that 61.7% of cases are heat exhaustion suggests people are not taking enough precautions. Stay safe, Korea!
Climate change is real and we need to take collective action. Watching countries like South Korea and India face these challenges should be a wake-up call for the global community. This isn't just a Korean problem—it's a global one.
Growing up in Chennai, I know what 35°C feels like—it feels like a blast furnace. The situation in Korea is made worse by the fact that many homes there don't have air conditioning traditionally because they relied on cooler summers. I hope authorities provide efficient cooling options for the vulnerable. Stay protected, Korea! 💙
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