Authorities expanded a heat-wave severe warning to most of the Seoul metropolitan area on Wednesday as temperatures climbed to around 39°C [1].

This escalation reflects a dangerous spike in regional temperatures that threatens public health and infrastructure. The expansion of the warning to the capital region and Cheongyang marks a significant increase in the scale of the weather emergency [4].

Weather officials identified a hot east wind crossing the mountain range as the primary cause of the temperature surge. This wind pattern intensified heat over western Korea, pushing the region toward extreme levels [1]. A reporter for YTN News said, "A hot east wind crossing the mountain range is heating up the metropolitan area."

The heat was most acute in several districts. In Hanam and Seoul's Nowon district, temperatures reached 39.2°C at 3:30 p.m. [2]. Around 4 p.m., temperatures in Guro, Gangseo, and Gangnam were recorded at approximately 39°C [2].

Local officials have broadened the severe warning to cover the majority of the capital region [4]. The warning is designed to trigger emergency responses to mitigate heat-related illnesses and deaths during periods of extreme thermal stress.

While the heat remains the primary concern, some relief may arrive in the form of precipitation. Forecasts indicate potential scattered showers with amounts ranging from five to 20 mm [1]. However, these showers may not be sufficient to break the overall heat trend.

Reporting from the field highlighted the relentless nature of the weather. A reporter for YTN News said, "The extreme heat does not seem to be stopping."

“A hot east wind crossing the mountain range is heating up the metropolitan area.”

The expansion of the heat-wave severe warning to most of the Seoul metropolitan area indicates that the current weather event is exceeding standard seasonal norms. The role of the east wind in trapping heat suggests a specific atmospheric blocking pattern that can sustain extreme temperatures for extended periods, increasing the risk of urban heat island effects in densely populated districts like Gangnam and Guro.