South Korea experiences 22 tropical nights in July, breaking a 117-yearold temperature record.
In a year marked by extreme weather patterns, South Korea has witnessed an unprecedented heatwave that has shattered a 117-year record for the number of sweltering nights in July. Health authorities report that at least 16 individuals have succumbed to heat-related illnesses so far. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has noted that the capital city, Seoul, experienced overnight temperatures that remained above 29.3 degrees Celsius (84.7 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to the classification of 22 “tropical nights” this month alone. This phenomenon, defined by nighttime temperatures exceeding 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) between 6:01 PM and 9:00 AM, highlights a significant shift in climatic patterns, with the current number of tropical nights surpassing the previous record set in 1994.
This ongoing heatwave is not confined to South Korea; neighboring countries are also grappling with extreme temperatures. For instance, Japan recently recorded its hottest day ever, with temperatures soaring to 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit) in Tamba city, Hyogo prefecture. Both Japan and South Korea reported June 2023 as their hottest month on record. Meanwhile, China’s National Climate Centre revealed that the country had experienced a record number of days with temperatures hitting 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher since mid-March. The National Disaster Management Authority in India issued a red alert for New Delhi as heat index readings climbed to a staggering 51.9 degrees Celsius (125.4 degrees Fahrenheit).
Climate scientists attribute the increasing frequency of such extreme weather events to human-driven climate change. A recent report from the World Meteorological Organization posits that Asia is warming at nearly twice the rate of the global average. According to their findings, the average temperature of Asia’s landmass last year was approximately 1.04 degrees Celsius (33.87 degrees Fahrenheit) above the 1991-2020 baseline. This trend positions 2024 to potentially be one of the warmest years recorded, underlining the urgency for robust climate action across the region.
Overall, the alarming rise in temperatures in South Korea and across Asia serves as a critical reminder of the global climate crisis. The implications for public health, agriculture, and ecosystems are profound, necessitating a concerted response from local and international authorities to mitigate these effects effectively.
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