Following next week's extreme heat in South Gyeongsang, Seoul will also face scorching temperatures peaking in the 40s Celsius.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 30th, from Aug. 3 to 9 the entire country will come under the influence of the North Pacific high, bringing mostly clear weather. During this period, morning lows will range from 24 to 27 degrees and daytime highs from 33 to 39 degrees, making it much hotter than around this time in an average year.
In Seoul, temperatures will hold around 34 degrees through Aug. 2, then rise stepwise to 35 degrees on the 3rd, 36 degrees on the 4th, and 37 degrees on the 5th. After that, sweltering heat around 36 degrees is expected to persist for an extended period.
Seoul's currently forecast high of 37 degrees falls short of the 39 degrees or higher threshold for an extreme heat red alert if based on temperature alone. However, the alert is also issued when the daily maximum heat index of 38 degrees or higher is expected to persist for two or more days.
A key variable that will determine the strength of this heat wave is Typhoon 13 "Dolphin," now moving west-northwest over waters east of Guam. If the typhoon tracks farther south than expected, the easterly winds pushing toward the Korean Peninsula could strengthen, sending temperatures in western regions, including Seoul, soaring above projections.
On top of that, Seoul has already endured eight straight nights of tropical nights that disrupt sleep, and next week the overnight lows are not expected to dip below 26 to 27 degrees, suggesting the cauldron-like daytime heat and the muggy nighttime warmth will continue without a break.