This year's July temperatures 3rd highest on record

In July 2023, average temperatures across South Korea reached the third highest on record, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The average temperature was 26.8 C, falling short of the all-time high of 27.7 C in 1994. July 2022 was the second warmest month, with an average of 27.1 C.

The KMA tracked records starting from 1973 as the base year. Aside from the highest temperatures, July 2023 also saw a record number of tropical nights, defined as days when the lowest temperature was 25 C or above. The average number of tropical nights nationwide increased to 9.7 days, surpassing the previous record of 8.8 days set in July 2024. The previous record of 8.5 days in July 1994 was also exceeded.

Heat wave advisories were frequently issued across the country in July 2023, with an average of 8.9 days per region. The advisory was most frequently issued in the southeastern region, with Daegu, Gumi, and Miryang experiencing heat wave advisories on 22, 21, and 20 days respectively. In contrast, the central region, specifically Seoul, saw far fewer days under heat wave advisories, with only two days.

Overall, the precipitation in July 2023 was significantly below average, at 220.2 millimeters, which is 72.3 percent of the normal July rainfall of 296.5 mm. The drought conditions were most severe in the southeastern South Gyeongsang Province, where only 68 mm of rainfall fell, amounting to 21.9 percent of the average July precipitation of 304.7 mm.