Seoul Issues First-Ever Severe Heatwave Warning as Temperatures Soar
SEOUL-South Korea’s weather agency issued its first “severe heatwave warning” for Seoul on Monday under a newly introduced alert system, as prolonged extreme temperatures gripped the capital following a series of record-breaking heat readings across the country.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said parts of Seoul, a city of about nine million people, met the criteria for the highest-level heat advisory after the apparent, or “feels-like,” temperature reached at least 35 degrees Celsius for a second consecutive day. The agency forecast temperatures in some districts could climb to as high as 38 degrees Celsius from 11:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
The warning follows an unprecedented stretch of extreme heat during which South Korea recorded new national temperature records on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The highest temperature reached 42.5 degrees Celsius over the weekend, while health authorities reported that nearly 300 people had been hospitalized due to heat-related illnesses.
Although Monday’s temperatures did not surpass the weekend’s all-time national record, forecasters warned that dangerous conditions would persist, prompting the activation of the country’s highest heat alert for the capital.
In its advisory, the KMA urged residents to minimize outdoor activities and postpone outdoor work wherever possible. The agency advised people to seek refuge in air-conditioned buildings or designated public cooling shelters to reduce the risk of heat-related illness.
Commuters in Seoul adapted to the sweltering conditions by walking through shaded streets and avoiding direct sunlight even during the morning hours, when temperatures were comparatively lower.
The “severe heatwave warning” category was introduced by South Korea this year to provide earlier and clearer public warnings during periods of exceptionally dangerous heat. The system reflects a broader trend among countries adapting their weather alert frameworks to account for increasingly frequent and intense heat events.
Japan has adopted a similar approach this summer, introducing the term “cruelly hot days” to describe periods when temperatures exceed 40 degrees Celsius in some cities.
Scientists have consistently warned that climate change driven by human activities is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including prolonged heatwaves. Such events pose growing risks to public health, infrastructure and economic activity, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
South Korean authorities continued to monitor weather conditions and advised the public to follow official guidance as forecasts indicated that exceptionally high temperatures were likely to persist in the coming days.
