South Korea's worst heatwave: Yangsan hits 41.4°C, breaking national record

On July 31, the city of Yangsan in South Korea registered a scorching 41.4°C (106.5°F), setting a new national record for the highest temperature ever recorded. This marks the third consecutive day that temperatures in Yangsan have exceeded 40°C, a phenomenon unprecedented in meteorological records.

The intense heat has transformed urban areas into near-deserts, with streets becoming eerily quiet as residents drastically reduce outdoor activities. Even efforts to cool the environment, such as water spraying trucks, proved futile as the moisture evaporated from the asphalt within minutes. An 88-year-old resident described the current heat as unlike anything experienced in their 80 years of life.

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I can barely breathe just stepping outside. The heat feels more intense than sauna steam hitting my face.

This new record surpasses the previous high of 41.0°C set in Hongcheon in August 2018. The extreme temperatures were not isolated to Yangsan; several other locations in the southern Gyeongnam province, including Gimhae, Uiryeong, and Jinju, also reported record-breaking regional highs on the same day.

Looking ahead, the "extreme heatwave" currently dominating the southern regions is projected to shift westward. By next week, Seoul is expected to experience daytime temperatures reaching up to 37°C (98.6°F). This eastward expansion of the heat is influenced by meteorological factors, including the shift in wind patterns and the Foehn effect as winds cross mountain ranges.

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I've lived here for over 80 years and have never experienced heat like this.