South Korea Gripped by Record-Breaking Heatwave as 'Super Tropical Nights' Hit Seoul
The western regions of South Korea, including the densely populated capital area, are currently enduring a period of extreme thermal stress. On Wednesday, August 5, the nation witnessed a dramatic surge in temperatures, with several areas in Gyeonggi Province expected to hit a blistering 39 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, major urban centers such as Seoul and Gwangju are forecasted to reach 38 degrees Celsius, with some localized pockets of the country edging closer to the critical 40-degree mark.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), this oppressive weather is the result of a complex atmospheric setup. A powerful North Pacific high-pressure system has settled over the eastern waters. As easterly winds travel along the edges of this high-pressure zone and cross over the mountainous terrain of the peninsula, they trigger a phenomenon known as the Foehn effect. This occurs when moist air rises over mountains, loses its moisture as precipitation on the windward side, and descends the leeward side as warm, dry air, significantly amplifying the heat in the western lowlands.
Beyond the daytime peaks, the peninsula is struggling with a lack of nocturnal relief. The capital region, along with the Honam (Jeolla) and Yeongnam (Gyeongsang) inland areas, have been plagued by 'tropical nights,' a term used when the minimum overnight temperature remains above 25 degrees Celsius. In a particularly alarming development, the KMA's Seoul office in the Dongjak district recorded a minimum temperature exceeding 30 degrees Celsius, officially crossing the threshold into what is known as a 'super tropical night.' Such conditions prevent the human body from recovering from daytime heat, increasing the risk of heatstroke and sleep deprivation for millions of residents.
Meteorological forecasts indicate that this trend is not a momentary spike. Highs across the country are expected to fluctuate between 30 and 38 degrees Celsius in the immediate term, with Daejeon projected to reach 37 degrees Celsius. The KMA warns that the current heatwave is likely to persist for the foreseeable future, leaving citizens and agricultural sectors in a state of high alert.
Attention has also turned to the Pacific, where Typhoon 'White Dolphin' (the 13th typhoon of the season) is currently tracking westward toward Shanghai, China. International weather agencies predict the storm will reach the waters southeast of Shanghai by the early hours of August 10. However, for the people of South Korea, the typhoon offers no hope of a cooling breeze. Current trajectory models suggest the storm will not steer enough cool air toward the peninsula to lower temperatures significantly, nor will it provide the necessary rainfall to alleviate the severe drought conditions currently affecting the southern provinces.
Looking further ahead, the period from August 9 to August 15 is expected to see a slight moderation in extremes, with minimum temperatures ranging from 22 to 27 degrees Celsius and maximums between 29 and 36 degrees Celsius. While this suggests a marginal decline from the current peak, the overall temperature profile remains substantially higher than historical averages for this time of year.
The human cost of this weather anomaly has already become apparent. Reports indicate that at least 19 people have lost their lives due to heat-related complications. In response to the escalating crisis, the government has taken drastic measures, with the presidency declaring the heatwave a national disaster to mobilize emergency resources and support for vulnerable populations. With record-breaking temperatures—such as the 41.4 degrees Celsius previously noted in Yangsan—the nation continues to grapple with the intensifying reality of extreme climatic shifts.