South Korea Records All-Time High Temperature Amid Intense Heatwave

South Korea has experienced a record-breaking heatwave, with the southeastern city of Yangsan registering a scorching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday afternoon. This extreme temperature marks the epicenter of the current heatwave, which has seen the city surpass 40 degrees Celsius for five consecutive days.

Across a large part of the country, heatwave warnings are in effect, with many cities approaching 40 degrees. A new category of warning, "extreme heatwave danger," has been issued for over 20 locations. This alert is triggered when a heatwave is forecast to reach a "feels like" temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or an actual temperature of 39 degrees Celsius for one day.

Data from the Korea Meteorological Administration indicates a significant increase in heatwave days. The average number of heatwave days nationwide has more than doubled in the past five years, reaching 19 days annually, compared to just eight days in the 1970s. A heatwave day is defined as a day with a maximum temperature of at least 33 degrees Celsius, while a tropical night occurs when temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Celsius overnight.

Scientists are warning that the impacts of human-induced climate change are making extreme weather phenomena like heatwaves more frequent and intense. This trend poses significant challenges for public health, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the region.