South Korea Hits Record 42.5C in Yangsan as 20-Plus Areas Face Emergency Heat Alerts
Updated
Updated · DAWN.com · Aug 2
South Korea Hits Record 42.5C in Yangsan as 20-Plus Areas Face Emergency Heat Alerts
3 articles · Updated · DAWN.com · Aug 2
Summary
Yangsan reached 42.5C at 1:26 p.m. Sunday, setting South Korea's highest temperature since records began more than a century ago, the Korea Meteorological Administration said.
The southeastern city has been the heatwave's epicenter, with temperatures above 40C for a fifth straight day, while many other cities climbed into the high 30s.
More than 20 localities were under emergency heatwave alerts Sunday, a new warning category triggered when perceived temperatures are forecast at 38C or actual temperatures at 39C for one day.
KMA data show South Korea's average annual heatwave days have more than doubled to 19 in the past five years from eight in the 1970s, underscoring scientists' warnings that human-driven climate change is intensifying extreme heat.