South Korea Issues First Emergency Heatwave Warning for Gyeongsan and Pohang

South Korea issued its first-ever emergency heatwave warning on Sunday for Gyeongsan and Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province under a new three-tier warning system launched in June, as temperatures reached up to 39.9°C amid a broader heatwave affecting much of the country amid South Korea severe weather conditions.

Emergency Heatwave Warning Issued

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued an Emergency Heatwave Warning at 10am on Sunday for Gyeongsan and Pohang in southern North Gyeongsang Province. [1] This marks the first time the alert has been issued since the system took effect. [1] The affected areas saw temperatures reach the emergency criteria over the weekend. [1] Agency chief Lee Mi-seon stated at a press briefing that the warning was issued because the areas were forecast to hit perceived temperatures of 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C for one day. [1] Residents in the affected areas were advised to stop outdoor activities immediately, seek shelter indoors or in shaded areas, stay hydrated and check on elderly neighbors and others who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. [3] The warning came after Gyeongsan recorded a high of 37.9°C at 3:08 p.m. on Saturday while temperatures in the city's Hayang-eup climbed to 39.9°C, and some parts of Pohang reached 37.2°C. [3]

Details of the New Warning System

The new three-tier system was adopted in June to warn the public about extreme temperatures that exceed the level of regular heat wave warnings in the previous two-tier structure. [3] Under the revised system, the heat wave emergency warning may be issued when the real-feel temperature is forecast to exceed 38°C after remaining above 35°C for two consecutive days. [3] It may also be issued when air temperatures are expected to surpass 39°C for more than one day. [3] The new warning system was introduced to better deal with a rising number of heatwaves in South Korea, which have become longer and more intense. [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 one day. [2] The KMA had identified North Gyeongsang Province as one of the regions most likely to trigger the new emergency warning after analyzing heat data from 2016 to 2025. [3] According to the agency, Gyeongsan would have met the emergency warning criteria an average of 3.1 times a year during that period had the system existed, the highest frequency among all heat advisory regions nationwide. [3]

South Korea issues its first emergency heatwave warning for Gyeongsan and Pohang under new system. — Source: channelnewsasia

Current Heatwave Conditions Across South Korea

The warning came as South Korea experienced an intense weekend heat wave driven by the combined influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High. [3] In southern North Gyeongsang Province, hot southerly foehn winds further boosted temperatures. [3] Foehn winds are warm, dry downslope winds that develop on the leeward side of mountain ranges, often causing temperatures to rise rapidly. [3] Much of the country, including parts of Seoul, remained under heatwave warnings, which are issued when the perceived temperature is expected to stay at 35°C or higher for two consecutive days. [2] Such warnings take both temperature and humidity into account. [2] Temperatures in parts of both Gyeongsan and Pohang were forecast to exceed 39°C on Sunday. [3] KMA administrator Lee Mi-seon said there is a high possibility that hot temperatures will continue until July 14. [3] Lee added that the KMA has issued heat wave advisories and nighttime heat advisories across most regions of the country. [3]

Health and Safety Risks

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said the relative risk of death increases by 16 percent when real-feel temperatures exceed 38°C or when air temperatures rise above 39°C. [3] An emergency heatwave warning does not simply mean the weather is extremely hot, Lee said. [2] It indicates conditions in which even healthy people face a significantly elevated risk of serious harm, including heat-related illness and death. [2] People engaged in outdoor activities should stop immediately and move to a cool place, and no one, including children or pets, should be left inside a vehicle. [2] Residents in affected areas were advised to stop outdoor activities immediately, seek shelter indoors or in shaded areas, stay hydrated and check on elderly neighbors and others who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. [3] The KMA warned that temperatures at emergency warning levels pose heat-related health risks even to healthy adults. [3]

Korea Meteorological Administration issues first emergency heatwave warning for Gyeongsan and Pohang. — Source: korea-herald

Long-Term Trends and Climate Context

KMA data shows that 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. [2] The average annual number of tropical nights has also jumped from four to 14 over the same period. [2] A heatwave day is defined as one with a maximum temperature of at least 33°C, while a tropical night is one when the overnight low remains 25°C or above. [2] Scientists warn that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense as a result of human-induced climate change. [2] The new system comes as Europe endures a scorching summer, after a June heatwave shattered temperature records across the continent. [2]

Government Response Measures

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety dispatched an on-site situation management official and launched an interministerial response. [3] The ministry’s senior natural disaster response official held a meeting at Gyeongsan City Hall on Sunday with officials from the Health Ministry, Labor Ministry, Gyeongsan city government and the Rural Development Administration. [3] The Interior Ministry said a preemptive response was needed because Gyeongsan and Pohang have large elderly populations. [3] Many residents also work outdoors at industrial complexes and construction sites. [3] Officials discussed measures including extending operating hours at shelters for older residents, checking on vulnerable groups and advising businesses to suspend outdoor work. [3] They also reviewed measures to prevent heat-related damage to crops and livestock. [3] Lee added that citizens should continue to check the latest weather information and please do not let your guard down until temperatures cool. [3] Make sure to get enough rest, hydrate frequently and seek shade during the day, and take extra precautions to maintain indoor temperatures at night. [3]

What to watch next: There is a high possibility that hot temperatures will continue until July 14, with the KMA continuing to issue heat wave advisories and nighttime heat advisories across most regions of the country.