Archive · 2 Aug 2026
South Korea Hits Record 42.5°C, Issues Heatwave Alerts
South Korea had its hottest day ever, with a city called Yangsan reaching 42.5°C.
Because of the extreme heat, the government warned people to stay inside and not go outside.
They also set up special cooling centers where people could cool off.
The heat was so bad that a baseball game in Changwon was cancelled.
Scientists say that the world is getting hotter because of climate change and a weather pattern called El Nino.
South Korea recorded a national high of 42.5°C in Yangsan on Sunday.
More than 20 regions were placed under emergency heatwave alerts, the first use of the new category.
Authorities urged people to stay indoors, avoid outdoor activities, and use cooling centers.
The heatwave disrupted daily life, including canceling a professional baseball game in Changwon.
Scientists link the extreme temperatures to climate change and the El Nino cycle.
- Who
- South Korean authorities and residents
- What
- Record heatwave and emergency heatwave alerts
- When
- Sunday
- Where
- South Korea, including Yangsan, Daegu, Busan, Changwon, and Seoul
- Why
- Climate change and the El Nino cycle
- Highest temperature
- 42.5°C
- Record date
- Sunday
- Emergency alert threshold
- 38°C perceived or 39°C actual
- Regions under alert
- 20+
- Heatwave days per year
- 19