Overview
- On July 26 the Korea Meteorological Administration raised its top, or “grave,” heat warnings for parts of southwestern Daegu, Gyeongsan and Cheongdo while Pohang and Gyeongju were already under the same alert.
- The KMA issues a highest-level heat warning when daytime highs are forecast to reach 39°C or more after apparent temperatures have been at or above 35°C for at least two consecutive days.
- Official KMA stations reported highs as hot as 40.4°C in Uiseong and the Automatic Weather Station network logged about 41°C in Sinnyeong and other local sites, showing hotter pockets than some official stations.
- Most other parts of Daegu and North Gyeongsang remain under standard warnings or advisories, and the wider spread of extreme heat increases near-term risks for outdoor workers, older residents and local health services.
- The KMA adopted a new three-tier heat-warning system on June 1 and first used the top level on July 12, and forecasters say the heat wave may persist into early August so further location-specific grave warnings are likely.