South Korea swelters under 39°C heat; showers offer little relief

South Korea is bracing for another day of extreme heat, with daytime high temperatures forecast to soar between 33 and 39 degrees Celsius across most of the country on August 3rd. This intense heatwave follows record-breaking temperatures in the Yeongnam region, where highs exceeded 40 degrees Celsius.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) warned that the nation will be under the influence of a subtropical high-pressure system, leading to clear skies and strong sunshine. This will cause ground temperatures to rise, with the perceived temperature expected to reach around 35 degrees Celsius in many areas. Particularly severe conditions are anticipated in parts of eastern South Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces, including Daegu, where daytime highs could approach 39 degrees Celsius and the perceived temperature might exceed 38 degrees Celsius. For these areas, an "Extreme Heat" warning has been issued, advising residents to suspend or postpone outdoor activities and seek rest in cool environments while staying hydrated.

Overnight temperatures are also expected to remain uncomfortably high, with tropical nights, defined as minimum temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius, predicted to persist in numerous locations. While some areas in the southern inland regions of Gangwon Province and northern inland areas of Chungcheong Province may experience brief temperature drops with 5-10 mm of showers from late afternoon today until tomorrow, the high humidity after the rain is expected to intensify the feeling of heat.

Major cities are forecast to experience the following daytime highs: Seoul 37°C, Incheon 34°C, Chuncheon 35°C, Gangneung 34°C, Cheongju 37°C, Daejeon 37°C, Jeonju 36°C, Gwangju 39°C, Yeosu 39°C, Daegu 39°C, Busan 35°C, Changwon 39°C, and Jeju 34°C. Air quality is expected to be "good" nationwide.