**South Korea Records Hottest Day in History Amid Global Extreme Weather Events**
**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korea has officially recorded its highest temperature since the commencement of national weather records over a century ago, as an intense heatwave continues to affect the country. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported that the southeastern city of Yangsan reached a staggering 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) at 1:26 PM local time on Sunday, August 2, 2026. This marks the fifth consecutive day that temperatures in Yangsan have exceeded 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
In response to the extreme heat, heat warnings remain in effect across much of South Korea, with temperatures in many cities climbing into the upper 30s. Over 20 localities were placed under emergency heatwave alerts on Sunday, a new warning category introduced this year to address the increasingly severe summer temperatures. This alert is triggered when forecasts predict a perceived temperature of at least 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or an actual temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher for a single day.
The KMA has noted a significant increase in the average annual number of heatwave days, which has more than doubled over the past five years to 19 days, compared to an average of eight days in the 1970s. A heatwave day is defined as one where the maximum temperature reaches at least 33 degrees Celsius (91.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Additionally, a "tropical night" is identified when overnight temperatures do not dip below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves and other extreme weather events to climate change driven by human activity. This record-breaking heat in South Korea is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather impacting various regions worldwide.
In Japan, severe heat has persisted across both eastern and western regions, prompting authorities to issue heatstroke alerts for 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures. The Japan Meteorological Agency has warned of dangerous conditions, with public broadcaster NHK highlighting the risks associated with the ongoing heatwave.
Europe is also grappling with extreme weather, as wildfires fueled by high temperatures and strong winds have swept through parts of Greece, necessitating evacuations. Meanwhile, hot and dry conditions in Spain and France have heightened the risk of additional wildfires.
In North Africa, extreme heat and powerful winds have led to significant wildfires in Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. Tunisia has deployed international firefighting aircraft to assist local emergency crews battling fires threatening forests, farmland, and nearby communities.
The western United States is experiencing its own dangerous heatwave, with forecasters warning that temperatures could break records over the weekend, further exacerbating wildfire risks in drought-stricken areas.
As South Korea endures this unprecedented heat, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the global climate crisis and its far-reaching impacts. The record temperatures not only pose immediate health risks to residents but also highlight the urgent need for comprehensive climate action to mitigate future extreme weather events.