In Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, the temperature soared to 42.5 C, surpassing 42 C in Korea for the first time since weather observations began. Unprecedented heat is continuing, centered on the Yeongnam region, with Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, also recording 40.2 C.
According to observation data from the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 2nd, the temperature in Yangsan reached 42.0 C at 1:16 p.m. and then rose to 42.5 C at 1:26 p.m. It is the first time since Korea began modern weather observations in 1904 that a temperature in the 42 C range has been observed.
Yangsan's 42.5 C is the highest temperature on record even when including the Korea Meteorological Administration's 97 nationwide climate statistics stations that manage official temperature rankings, as well as all nationwide Automatic Weather System (AWS) records.
Yangsan recorded 40.3 C on the 29th and 30th of last month, 41.4 C on the 31st, and 41.6 C on the 1st of this month. With temperatures surpassing 40 C again on this day, it marked the first time in Korea's weather observation history to record five consecutive days in the 40 C range.
Temperatures are rising quickly in Daegu and North Gyeongsang as well. Gyeongju's daytime high climbed from 39.8 C at 1:30 p.m. to 40.2 C at 1:35 p.m., a rise in just five minutes.
As of 1:30 p.m., Automatic Weather System observations also neared 40 C in many places, with Hwangseong in Gyeongju and Gigye in Pohang each recording 39.7 C.
A severe heat emergency warning took effect at 11 a.m. for Gyeongsan and the north-central area of Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang, central Daegu, and southern Dalseong. A severe heat emergency warning is the highest level of heat advisory issued when extreme heat that can threaten life is expected.
There is a chance the temperature could rise further. Generally, the day's highest temperature is often recorded between 2 and 4 p.m., later than noon when sunlight is strongest.
An official at the Daegu weather office said, "There is a possibility that temperatures will rise further as we move into the afternoon."