First heat wave warning issued as scorching heat grips capital

People cool off by Cheonggye Stream in downtown Seoul on the evening of July 6, 2025. Yonhap

SEOUL, July 7 (AJP) - This summer's first heat wave warning was issued in Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas on Monday, with scorching heat and tropical nights persisting for more than a week.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the warning was issued for the capital region at around 10 a.m., about 18 days earlier than last year amid an early heat wave after the monsoon season ended sooner than usual.

Such a warning is issued when "feels-like" temperatures remain above 35 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days or when severe damage is anticipated due to extreme heat.

Other parts of the country have also suffered from record- high daytime temperatures over the weekend. The mercury rose to 38.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday in the southeastern city of Uljin, the highest for July since relevant records began in 1971.

Donghae in Gangwon Province also recorded a new daily high of 38.3 degrees while nearby Samcheok reached 39.0 degrees, the highest temperature recorded in the country so far this year.

The muggy weather is expected to continue throughout this week with daytime highs hovering between 32 degrees to 37 degrees nationwide. Most parts of the country will continue to swelter through tropical nights, when temperatures do not drop below 25 degrees.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Danas, this year's fourth typhoon, is moving north but is not expected to directly affect the Korean Peninsula, having weakened to a tropical storm after making landfall in southern Taiwan last weekend.

"But the tropical air mass brought by the typhoon may further intensify the country’s heat and humidity," the KMA forecast.
Im Yoon-seo 기자 lyseo0330@ajupress.com

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