Last July, a record heat wave and tropical nights persisted throughout the first and second halves of the month, trapping the Korean Peninsula in sweltering heat, with localized heavy rainfall occurring in the middle of the month. It was found that temperatures, precipitation, and sea surface temperatures all exceeded average levels.
On the 5th, the Korea Meteorological Administration announced the analysis results regarding the climate characteristics and causes of this year's July.
The average temperature across the country in July was 27.1 degrees, the second highest on record, following the hottest year in 1994, and was 2.5 degrees higher than the average and 0.9 degrees higher than last year. Extreme heat persisted daily in the first and second halves, except for the middle of the month.
In the first half of the month, the North Pacific High covered the Korean Peninsula, resulting in sustained hot weather. During this period, the national average temperature was 28.2 degrees, exceeding the average by 4.8 degrees, setting a new record high. In the second half, the influence of the North Pacific High was joined by that of the Tibetan High, leading to prolonged heat both day and night.
The number of heat wave days nationwide was 14.5 days, which is 10.4 days more than the average, and the number of tropical night days was 6.7 days, 3.9 days more than the average. Notably, in Seoul, the number of tropical night days was 23 days, about 4.8 times higher than the average, making it the highest recorded, and it was the most in the country. The total precipitation across the country was 249.0 mm, about 85.8% of the average (296.5 mm), though heavy rainfall was focused in the middle of the month.
The sea surface temperature around the Korean Peninsula in July was 24.6 degrees, the highest among the past 10 years. Since the end of June, the rapid increase in temperature has also led to a quick rise in sea surface temperatures around the Korean Peninsula, which is 1.3 degrees higher than the recent 10-year average (23.3 degrees).
Korea Meteorological Administration Chief Jang Dong-eun noted, "This July, the heat wave and tropical nights started unusually early, and in the middle of the month, there were heavy rains, followed by extreme heat again for consecutive days, causing significant damage and hardship." He added, "Heavy rain is also expected this week, and amid increasing climate variability due to climate change, with multiple extreme weather phenomena occurring simultaneously, the Korea Meteorological Administration will do its best to monitor abnormal weather phenomena closely and provide timely weather information to protect the safety and lives of the people from weather disasters."