Seoul's Mid-April Temperature Hits Record High of 29.4 Degrees Celsius

South Korea is experiencing an unseasonably intense heatwave, with Seoul recording a staggering 29.4 degrees Celsius on April 19th. This figure not only shattered daily records but also set a new all-time high for mid-April since meteorological observations commenced in 1907. The mercury climbed even higher in other parts of the country, with some areas like Yangju in Gyeonggi Province reaching a sweltering 32.3 degrees Celsius, signaling an early and aggressive arrival of summer.

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On the 19th, the daytime high temperature in Seoul reached 29.4 degrees Celsius, exceeding the average (19.2 degrees Celsius) by more than 10 degrees.

This phenomenon is attributed to a confluence of factors, including warm air currents flowing in from the south and intense solar radiation. The clear skies allowed the sun's rays to heat the ground rapidly, while the southeastern wind carried warm air masses that were further amplified as they crossed the Sobaek and Taebaek mountain ranges, particularly impacting the Seoul metropolitan area and the Yeongseo region.

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This is the highest figure for mid-April (11th-20th) since meteorological observations began in 1907.

While the heat has been a significant talking point, meteorologists predict a welcome change. Light rains are expected across the country on April 20th, which should help to bring down the temperatures. Following the rain, a mass of colder air is forecast to move in from the northwest, causing a sharp drop in temperatures – Seoul's daytime high is expected to fall by nearly 10 degrees Celsius to around 19 degrees Celsius on April 20th. The cooler weather is expected to persist, with daytime temperatures hovering around the seasonal average in the following days.

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Warm air flowing from the south and strong sunshine overlapped.

This dramatic shift from extreme heat to cooler, more seasonal temperatures highlights the volatile weather patterns South Korea can experience. While the current heatwave has been notable, the swift return to more moderate conditions serves as a reminder of the dynamic climate systems at play.

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The warm air, carried by the southeastern wind, was further heated as it crossed the Sobaek and Taebaek mountain ranges, raising temperatures in the 수도권 (Seoul metropolitan area) and Yeongseo regions.