Yangsan hits record 42C, endures unprecedented five straight days above 40C

The South Korean city of Yangsan experienced a record-breaking temperature of 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 F) on August 2, surpassing its previous high from the day before. This marks the fifth consecutive day the city has endured temperatures exceeding 40 C (104 F), an unprecedented occurrence in South Korea's 122-year meteorological observation history.

On August 1, Yangsan had already set a new national record with a high of 41.6 C. The heatwave has intensified, with temperatures reaching 40 C earlier each day. On August 2, the city hit 40 C by mid-morning and reached its peak of 42.5 C at 1:26 p.m.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), this prolonged period of extreme heat is due to a combination of factors. A stagnant subtropical high-pressure system has trapped hot and humid air over the Korean Peninsula. Warm, moist winds from the west are flowing along the periphery of this system. Coupled with clear skies and intense solar radiation, these conditions have accelerated heat accumulation, particularly in inland areas like Yangsan, which is situated in a basin.

Prior to this event, the longest recorded streaks of temperatures above 40 C were shorter. Since modern meteorological observations began nationwide in 1973, including data from automatic weather stations, only two other instances of consecutive days above 40 C have been recorded: three days in Anseong in August 2018, and four days in Yeongcheon in the same month and year. Yangsan's five-day streak is now the longest on record.