South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since meteorological records began in 1904. In the southeastern city of Yangsan, temperatures reached 42.5°C, the Korea Meteorological Agency (KMA) said. According to the KMA, the record temperature was recorded at 13:26 p.m. local time. Yangsan, a city near the port of Busan, has experienced temperatures above 40°C for five consecutive days.
The new record comes during a period of intense heat waves that have swept across much of South Korea, forcing authorities to issue extreme heat warnings for millions of residents.
More than 20 areas of the country are currently under maximum alert for high temperatures, while about 157 cities are on heatwave alert. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities, including physical work and sports activities, during the hours of highest temperatures. This maximum heatwave alert level was created this year to cope with extreme weather events linked to climate change and was activated for the first time on July 12.
Under the new system, the maximum alert is set when felt temperatures reach at least 35°C for two consecutive days and temperatures above 39°C are forecast in the following days.
The Korea Meteorological Agency has warned that heat waves have become more frequent. The average annual number of days with extreme temperatures has increased from about 8 days per year during the 1970s to about 19 days per year over the past five years.
