South Korea experienced its highest average summertime temperature since such records began half a century ago, nearly two degrees higher than the historic average.
From June to August, the average temperature in the country was 25.6˚C (78.08˚F), the Korea Meteorological Administration said.
That is the highest figure since the agency set up nationwide observation posts in 1973, it said, and is 1.9˚C higher than the historical average for summer.
KMA head Jang Dong-un said climate change was altering South Korea’s weather patterns.
“We experienced heavy downpours during the monsoon season, and the prolonged heat wave and tropical nights caused significant discomfort and damage to the public,” Jang said.
South Korea also experienced the longest stretch of tropical nights on record, averaging 20.2 days for the June to August period — triple the previous average of 6.5 days, the KMA said in a press release.
The phenomenon of “tropical nights” refers to nights when the temperature does not fall below 25˚C.
Seoul, the capital of around 10 million, shattered its previous record and experienced 39 consecutive tropical nights this summer, far surpassing the previous high of 26 days.
According to the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the number of days with temperatures reaching 35˚C in the world’s largest capital cities has surged by 52% over the past 30 years.