South Korea swelters as temperatures exceed 40C amid 'extreme heat'

South Korea is grappling with an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several areas. On July 29, Yangsan in South Gyeongsang Province recorded a high of 40.3 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature since meteorological observations started in the city in 2008.

This extreme heat follows a previous record of 39.3 degrees Celsius set just three days prior. Yangsan's temperature exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in July marks the second consecutive year this has happened, indicating a concerning trend.

Busan, a major port city, experienced its hottest day in 122 years, reaching 38.8 degrees Celsius on July 29. This surpassed the previous record of 37.3 degrees Celsius set in August 2016. Other southern regions, including Gimhae and Changwon, also endured extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 39.0 and 38.8 degrees Celsius, respectively.

As of 5 p.m. on July 29, heatwave advisories were in effect for 227 out of 235 land areas across the country, covering 96.6% of the territory. In Seoul, the heatwave advisory was upgraded to a heatwave warning in most areas, indicating a maximum perceived temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or higher.

The prolonged heat is attributed to the combined influence of the North Pacific high-pressure system and the Tibetan Plateau high-pressure system, which are expected to intensify the heatwave in the coming days. There is no significant rain forecast in the immediate future.