
June heat shatters records across South Korea
Between Saturday and Monday, 59 out of 97 weather stations across the country recorded their highest daily average temperatures ever for June.
In Busan, the daily average temperature on Monday reached 26.2 degrees Celsius, the highest for any June day since the city began keeping records in 1904.
The new record was set just a day after the previous high of 25.9 C was reached, surpassing the earlier mark of 25.8 C recorded on June 15, 2024.
Similar records were broken elsewhere.
Mokpo, which also began observations in 1904, recorded 28.1 C on Monday after hitting a record-high 27.3 C the day before.
In Daegu, the average temperature reached 30.7 C, the highest June figure since 1907, surpassing the record of 30.1 C set in 2005.
Meteorologists attributed the unusual heat to a surge of hot, humid air from the southwest, as South Korea is currently in the proximity of a big high-pressure system over the North Pacific.
'This kind of system usually forms in July, but it showed up early,' an official said. 'We don't know yet if the heat will continue.'

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Korea Herald
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Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Korea Herald
Is monsoon really over? What's next?
Experts say 'too soon' to confirm, fierce heat wave expected next Despite the stifling humidity and blistering heat, the recent absence of rain sparked speculation online that South Korea's summer monsoon season may already be over. Meteorologists caution that it's too early to make such a call. As of Tuesday, the seasonal monsoon front, which is usually responsible for Korea's rainy season, remains stalled near the inter-Korean border. Though inactive for days, it has not fully receded, the Korea Meteorological Administration said. The front is fluctuating between active and inactive states and could shift south again depending on atmospheric changes around the peninsula. 'Although the rain has stopped temporarily, the monsoon front hasn't completely disappeared,' said a KMA official. 'Given the current pressure systems, it's premature to declare the end of the monsoon.' The confusion stems from how the summer weather has unfolded. The rainy season began on June 12 for Jeju and June 19 for the southern and central regions — earlier than the average onset date. But since then, rainfall has been sparse. Instead, high humidity and intense heat have gripped much of the country, with heat advisories issued in southern regions where the monsoon front has already passed. This phenomenon, dubbed a 'dry monsoon,' has occurred as the North Pacific High — a large mass of hot, moist air — expanded more quickly than usual, pushing the monsoon front northward. Adding to the complexity is a tropical disturbance east of the Philippines, which is pumping heat into the region and intensifying the North Pacific High. If this tropical system weakens or moves, the high-pressure zone may recede southward, potentially dragging the rainband back over Korea. Such unpredictability makes it difficult for meteorologists to confirm whether the monsoon is truly over. Some experts warn that if the rainy season does end this early, Korea could face a repeat of the extreme heat wave in 2018, when the monsoon ended in early July and gave way to 22 consecutive days of record-breaking heat. Even in the absence of sustained rainfall, the KMA warns of the possibility of sudden, heavy downpours. 'We may not see the traditional, prolonged monsoon rains for a while,' the KMA said, 'but short bursts of intense rain are still likely in many regions.' In the meantime, the agency urges the public to remain cautious amid ongoing heat wave conditions and to check weather forecasts frequently. 'Keep a small umbrella handy and take extra care of your health during these sweltering days,' the official added.