South Korea Hits Record 42.5°C, Highest Since 1904

Overview

• The Korean Meteorological Administration confirmed a national high of 42.5°C in Yangsan at 13:26 local time on Sunday, and Yangsan recorded its fifth straight day above 40°C.
• KMA placed 157 cities under heatwave warnings and more than 20 localities under extreme-heat warnings that advise stopping outdoor work and sport where possible.
• The new 'maximum' alert tier is triggered when felt temperatures reach at least 35°C for two consecutive days and forecasts exceed 39°C for at least one day.
• KMA data show average annual heatwave days rose from about eight in the 1970s to roughly 19 over the last five years, a trend scientists link to fossil-fuel driven climate change and this year's El Niño influence.
• Officials warn that the heat is already disrupting daily life and services, for example forcing sports cancellations and sending people to cooled public spaces, and they say the country must speed adaptation of health services, power systems and public cooling options.