South Korea records its highest-ever temperature of 42.5°C
Much of the country has been placed under heat warnings, with many cities seeing temperatures climb into the high 30s.
South Korea recorded its highest-ever temperature of 42.5°C on Sunday (August 2), prompting authorities to issue severe heat warnings across the nation. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported that Yangsan, a city in the southeast, experienced the scorching temperature at 1:26pm local time. The city has been grappling with temperatures exceeding 40°C for five consecutive days.
Many residents sought refuge in air-conditioned spaces, including shopping malls, cafes, and homes. The KMA introduced a new emergency heatwave alert category this year, urging people to cease all outdoor activities and seek cool areas with immediate effect. The average number of heatwave days in the country has more than doubled in the last five years, rising from eight in the 1970s to 19.
The intense heatwave coincides with the return of El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, contributing to extreme weather events worldwide.
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- South Korea records its highest-ever temperature of 42.5°C freemalaysiatoday.com
