South Korea swelters as heatwave advisories expand despite 'Chuseok' arrival

South Korea is enduring a persistent heatwave, with temperatures remaining high even after the arrival of 'Chuseok,' a traditional period marking the autumnal equinox and typically associated with cooler weather. On August 23, heatwave advisories were extended to cover all of Seoul and many other parts of the country.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued heatwave warnings for Seoul and central regions, while southern areas are experiencing heatwave advisories. Tropical nights, where temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit), have been observed, particularly in the southern provinces. Examples include Jindo (27.3°C), Busan (26.8°C), and Jeju (27.8°C) experiencing such conditions from the night of August 22 to the morning of August 23.

Despite the ongoing heat, some inland areas in North Jeolla Province, South Jeolla Province, southern Gyeongbuk Province, and western Gyeongnam Province are expected to receive scattered showers ranging from 5 to 50 millimeters on the afternoon and evening of August 24. These showers may be accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorms.

Temperatures are forecast to remain higher than average for the foreseeable future. On August 24, the highest perceived temperatures are expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius in most regions across the country, even in areas without specific heatwave advisories. Daily high temperatures are predicted to range from 31 to 35 degrees Celsius, with morning lows between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.