Heatwave set new temperature records in 60% of S. Korea
Arirang News
2018-08-06
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South Korea has been suffocating under an intense heatwave for more than two weeks now... with draining humidity levels and the mercury soaring well into the high 30s practically every day.
But the good news is that,... with showers in some regions over the weekend, it should be a touch cooler from now on, especially in the morning.
Hong Yoo reports.
More than half of South Korea's weather stations recorded the hottest weather in the country's modern history.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, 28 weather stations marked new record highs last Wednesday on the 1st day of August.
Hongcheon, in Gangwondo-province, reached 41 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature South Korea's seen since records began in 1904.
Seoul too reached an all-time high of 39.6 degrees.
The heat's been continuing after dark and into the mornings, causing what meteorologists call "tropical nights."
For more than two weeks now, it hasn't gotten below 25 degrees.
In fact, in Seoul, on August 2nd and 3rd, it didn't even get below 30 -- what they call a" super tropical night."
The heat has caused 35 deaths, and made thousands more ill with heat stroke and other symptoms.
It's also caused power failures in some regions because the grid couldn't handle the sudden increase in demand for electricity to power fans and air conditioning.
Two apartments in the city of Goyang, just to the west of the capital, lost power last Thursday, leaving residents to suffer in the heat.
The South Korean Minister of the Interior and Safety commented on Facebook that the heatwave will soon be designated as a natural disaster, will free up funds for relief measures.
The minister also said now is the right moment to spend time and money to make sure people can escape the heat.
The government's plan is to make sure people have ways to stay cool... which will include lowering electricity bills.
The killer heat is expected to diminish a little after this weekend but the daytime highs will continue to reach the mid-30s for a while.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
But the good news is that,... with showers in some regions over the weekend, it should be a touch cooler from now on, especially in the morning.
Hong Yoo reports.
More than half of South Korea's weather stations recorded the hottest weather in the country's modern history.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, 28 weather stations marked new record highs last Wednesday on the 1st day of August.
Hongcheon, in Gangwondo-province, reached 41 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature South Korea's seen since records began in 1904.
Seoul too reached an all-time high of 39.6 degrees.
The heat's been continuing after dark and into the mornings, causing what meteorologists call "tropical nights."
For more than two weeks now, it hasn't gotten below 25 degrees.
In fact, in Seoul, on August 2nd and 3rd, it didn't even get below 30 -- what they call a" super tropical night."
The heat has caused 35 deaths, and made thousands more ill with heat stroke and other symptoms.
It's also caused power failures in some regions because the grid couldn't handle the sudden increase in demand for electricity to power fans and air conditioning.
Two apartments in the city of Goyang, just to the west of the capital, lost power last Thursday, leaving residents to suffer in the heat.
The South Korean Minister of the Interior and Safety commented on Facebook that the heatwave will soon be designated as a natural disaster, will free up funds for relief measures.
The minister also said now is the right moment to spend time and money to make sure people can escape the heat.
The government's plan is to make sure people have ways to stay cool... which will include lowering electricity bills.
The killer heat is expected to diminish a little after this weekend but the daytime highs will continue to reach the mid-30s for a while.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
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