The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, known as "폭염 중대경보," for Seoul and parts of the capital region on Monday [1].
This unprecedented alert signals a critical escalation in public health risk as the region faces a combination of record-breaking daytime highs and persistent overnight heat. The warning reflects a growing trend of volatile weather patterns affecting the peninsula.
Temperatures in Seoul are forecasted to reach 38 °C today [1]. This follows a high of 36.7 °C recorded yesterday, Aug. 2 [1]. The KMA said that the heatwave has been intensified by hot east-winds associated with Typhoon Dolphin [2].
Beyond the capital, the warning extends to Gyeonggi Province, specifically in Osan, Hanam, and Yeoju [1]. Western regions, including Gwangju and parts of Jeonnam, are also under the alert [1].
Residents are facing an unrelenting cycle of heat. Seoul has recorded 13 consecutive nights of tropical night temperatures, where the mercury remains above 25 °C [1]. Additionally, the perceived heat index has exceeded 30 °C [1].
"An extreme heat warning has been announced for the first time in history for Seoul and parts of the metropolitan area," said a YTN broadcaster [1].
Local officials are monitoring the impact of the hot winds. Reporter Ko Han-seok said the temperature surge occurred because hot east-winds blew in due to the influence of Typhoon Dolphin [2].
“South Korea's first '폭염 중대경보' (extreme heat warning) was declared.”
The issuance of a '중대경보' (critical warning) for the first time indicates that traditional heat alerts are no longer sufficient to describe the current climatic extremes in South Korea. The interaction between tropical cyclones like Typhoon Dolphin and regional heat patterns is creating a compounding effect, where the wind does not cool the area but instead transports higher temperatures into the urban center.
