South Korea Enhances Weather Alerts for Longer, Hotter Summers and Extreme Rain

South Korea is overhauling its weather alert system this summer to better manage increasingly severe heatwaves and downpours, driven by climate change. The changes include the introduction of a "heavy heatwave warning" and a "tropical night advisory," adding new tiers to the existing warning system.

The "heavy heatwave warning" will be issued when the apparent temperature surpasses 38 degrees Celsius or the maximum temperature hits 39 degrees Celsius for over a day. This marks the first update to the heatwave warning system in 18 years, acknowledging the growing threat of heat-related illnesses and fatalities.

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The warning criteria are operated at a higher standard than the existing warning, so for the sake of health, you should avoid outdoor activities as much as possible.

Nighttime temperatures are also getting a dedicated alert with the new "tropical night advisory." This warning will be triggered when the minimum temperature remains above 25 degrees Celsius, a condition that increases the risk of heatstroke. The threshold for this advisory will vary by region, with some areas requiring temperatures above 25 degrees and others above 26 degrees.

Furthermore, the country is introducing a "disaster-level heavy rain emergency alert" to respond to extreme rainfall events. This new alert is for more severe conditions than the current heavy rain warnings, which are issued based on hourly and cumulative rainfall amounts. The new alert will be sent when 85mm of rain falls in an hour with 25mm in 15 minutes, or when 100mm of rain is observed in an hour. The Korea Meteorological Administration emphasizes that this alert should be treated as an immediate evacuation signal.

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Due to climate change, summers are getting longer and the intensity of heavy rain is increasing, so we have revised the weather alert system.