South Korea Hits Record 42.5°C as Heatwave Triggers Emergency Alerts
South Korea recorded its highest temperature in more than a century at 42.5°C in Yangsan as a severe heatwave grips parts of the country, while authorities in the United States issued flood warnings in Illinois and Florida plus red-flag fire warnings in North Dakota.
Record Heat in South Korea
South Korea yesterday registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago. [1] The southeastern city of Yangsan saw the temperature reach 42.5°C at 1:26pm. [1] Yangsan has been the epicenter of the ongoing heatwave, where temperatures exceeded 40°C for a fifth consecutive day yesterday, while many other cities including Daegu and Busan are seeing temperatures climb into the high 30°s. [1] People flocked to air-conditioned shopping malls or cafes to escape the blistering temperatures. [1] Office worker Ju Dong-yeol, who took refuge from the heat in a Starbucks in Seoul along with his parents said: “It is too hot to be outside doing anything.” [1] “I can’t think of anything else to do other than stay in air-conditioned places like home, shopping malls and cafes,” Ju said. [1] People cool off at a beach in Gangeung, South Korea, yesterday. [1]
Official Heat Warnings and Advice
More than 20 localities were under emergency heatwave alerts yesterday — a new warning category introduced this year to better address rising temperatures. [1] An emergency alert is issued when areas experiencing a heatwave are forecast to hit perceived temperatures of 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C for the day. [1] Issuing a heat warning, the weather agency urged people to “immediately stop all outdoor activities,” adding that “indoor spaces without air-conditioning are dangerous.” [1] The KMA urged people to stop all outdoor activities and move to a cool place, and warned that indoor spaces without air-conditioning were dangerous. [1] “Move immediately to a cool place, such as a designated cooling center or a shaded area, and stay hydrated while resting,” it advised. [1]
South Korea issues yellow weather warning during record 42.5°C heatwave in Yangsan. — Source: cyprusmail
Longer-Term Trends and Climate Context
The average annual number of heatwave days in the country has more than doubled to 19 over the past five years, from eight in the 1970s, KMA data showed. [1] A heatwave day is defined as one with a maximum temperature of at least 33°C. [1] Scientists warned that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of human-induced climate change. [1] Adding to the extreme weather is the return this year of El Nino — a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and typically occurs every two to seven years. [1]
Flood Warnings in the United States
A Flood Warning remains in effect for Thorn Creek at Thornton in Cook County, Illinois, with minor flooding occurring and forecast until Monday evening. [2] At 13.0 feet, parking lots threatened at Glenwood Academy. [2] The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Illinois, including Thorn Creek at Thornton affecting Cook County. [2] Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast for Thorn Creek from Near Glenwood downstream to confluence with Little Calumet River, including the Thornton gauge. [2] A Flash Flood Warning was issued for portions of Bay, Liberty, Calhoun, Gulf and Washington counties in Florida until 2:15pm EDT after Doppler radar detected thunderstorms producing heavy rain. [3] The National Weather Service in Tallahassee has issued a Flash Flood Warning for West Central Liberty County in Big Bend Florida, Northeastern Bay County in the panhandle of Florida, Southwestern Calhoun County in the panhandle of Florida, North Central Gulf County in the panhandle of Florida, and Southeastern Washington County in the panhandle of Florida. [3]
Fire Weather Alerts in North Dakota
Red Flag Warnings remain in effect until 8pm CDT or MDT for portions of western North Dakota due to wind and low relative humidity, with critical fire weather conditions expected as a cold front moves through. [4] A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM CDT /7 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST NORTH DAKOTA. [4] Critical fire weather conditions are expected today through early this evening across much of western North Dakota. [4] A cold front will move into western North Dakota by early afternoon. [4] A RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM MDT MONDAY DUE TO WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR SLOPE AND BOWMAN COUNTIES. [5]
Global Heat Context
Europe also sweltered through a scorching summer this year, with prolonged heatwaves pushing temperatures above 40°C in parts of the south. [1] European authorities issued health warnings, battled wildfires and urged people to avoid outdoor activities during afternoons. [1] After sweeping across western Europe at the start of last week, the season’s latest heatwave scorched central Europe before reaching Italy over the weekend. [1] Italian authorities said nearly all of the country’s major cities would be under the highest heat alert from today. [1]
What to watch next: Minor flooding is forecast until Monday evening on Thorn Creek, a Flash Flood Warning remains until 2:15pm EDT in the listed Florida counties, and Red Flag Warnings stay active until 8pm CDT/MDT in western North Dakota as the cold front advances.
