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3 clusters · 68 sources · 5 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated about 2 months ago

South Korea heatwave holds record 42.5 °C

Overview

The heatwave that swept the Korean peninsula in early August 2026 continued to set unprecedented temperatures. On 2 August, the Korea Meteorological Administration confirmed a maximum of 42.5 °C in Yangsan, breaking the previous record of 41.4 °C recorded two days earlier. This marked the fifth consecutive day above 40 °C and the highest temperature since systematic observations began in 1904.

More than 20 cities were placed under a newly introduced emergency heat‑wave alert, prompting the government to raise the national response to the second‑highest level. Prime Minister Han Seong‑sook ordered ministries and local authorities to mobilise resources for the elderly, outdoor workers and other vulnerable groups, expand cooling shelters, distribute water and limit outdoor work. The extreme heat caused at least 13–14 deaths and nearly 1,900 heat‑related illnesses nationwide, leading to the cancellation of professional baseball games in Changwon when temperatures reached 39.5 °C.

Power utilities activated emergency measures as electricity demand surged, and both South and North Korea issued heat advisories with temperatures near 40 °C in Pyongyang. Scientists linked the event to human‑driven climate change, a returning El Niño, and persistent high‑pressure systems. Authorities continue to fund cooling equipment, drought relief and livestock support.

Entities

Korea Meteorological Administration · Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) · Yangsan (South Korea) · South Korea · Yangsan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 28 SOURCES] The 42.5 °C reading is the highest temperature recorded in South Korea since records began in 1904.
[● 27 SOURCES] More than 20 locations in South Korea were placed under emergency heatwave alerts.
[● 27 SOURCES] The average annual number of heatwave days in South Korea has risen from eight in the 1970s to 19 in recent years.
[● 25 SOURCES] The Korea Baseball Organization cancelled a game in Changwon after temperatures reached 39.5 °C.
[● 25 SOURCES] Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in South Korea to human‑induced climate change and the return of El Niño.
[● 22 SOURCES] Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 °C at 13:26 local time on 2 August 2026.
[● 21 SOURCES] Authorities advised residents to stop all outdoor activities, move to cooling centres or shaded areas, stay hydrated and rest.
[● 21 SOURCES] The heatwave persisted for five consecutive days with temperatures above 40 °C in Yangsan.
[● 16 SOURCES] South Korea recorded its highest temperature of 42.5 °C in Yangsan on 2 August 2026.
[● 15 SOURCES] Prime Minister Han Seong‑sook ordered ministries and local governments to mobilise resources and raised the national heat‑response alert to the second‑highest level.
[● 11 SOURCES] The Korea Meteorological Administration recorded a temperature of 41.4 °C in Yangsan on July 31.
[● 11 SOURCES] KMA issued its highest‑level heatwave warning for parts of South Gyeongsang Province, including Yangsan.
[● 10 SOURCES] Yangsan recorded temperatures above 40 °C for three consecutive days.
[● 9 SOURCES] The extreme heat was caused by the simultaneous influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High pressure systems.
[● 9 SOURCES] Forecasters are monitoring Typhoon Dolphin for possible impact on the Korean Peninsula next week.
[● 8 SOURCES] Temperatures above 40 °C persisted in Yangsan for at least three consecutive days.
[● 8 SOURCES] At least 13–14 people have died and nearly 1,900 have suffered heat‑related illnesses during the heatwave.
[● 6 SOURCES] The KMA issued its highest‑level heat‑wave warning for parts of South Gyeongsang Province, including Yangsan.
[● 5 SOURCES] The KMA uses the ASOS observing system for its data records, which began in 1973.
[● 5 SOURCES] At least 12 heat‑related deaths were reported nationwide as of 30 July 2026.
[● 3 SOURCES] Heat caused the death of 19,173 livestock, mainly chickens, by July 30 2026.
[● 3 SOURCES] Yangsan recorded a temperature of 42.5 °C on 2 August 2026, setting a new all‑time national high.
[● 2 SOURCES] Gyeongnam health authorities recorded 142 heat‑illness cases and three deaths during the heatwave.
[○ 1 SOURCE] In July–August 2023, 118 workers died from heat‑related occupational accidents, 21 % higher than the monthly average.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (중대본) was elevated to level 2 in response to the heatwave.

Timeline

about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 55 sources
South Korea records historic 42.5°C temperature amid severe heatwave
South Korea hit a record 42.5 °C in Yangsan on 2 Aug 2026, prompting emergency alerts, 13‑14 deaths, ~1,900 heat‑related illnesses, and widespread disruptions including cancelled baseball games.
about 2 months ago

[HEALTH] 20 sources
South Korea's Yangsan sets new all‑time heat record amid nationwide heatwave
Yangsan hit 41.4 °C on 31 July, then 42.5 °C on 2 August 2026, breaking national heat records as a severe heatwave prompted top‑level warnings, health deaths and a level‑2 emergency response.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 3 sources
South Korea's Agriculture Ministry Inspects Livestock Farms Amid Heatwave
South Korea’s agriculture ministry inspected farms during a heatwave, reporting 365,000 livestock deaths and boosting support with cooling equipment, water, and a 4.1 billion‑won relief fund.

Sources

1001infos.net · acvila30.ro · berita.rtm.gov.my · bhaskarhindi.com · biz.heraldcorp.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · cafebiz.vn · chosunonline.com · conteudos.cnnbrasil.com.br · cursorinfo.co.il · dailytimes.com.pk · digitalphablet.com · enca.com · english.hani.co.kr · epochtimes.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · flare.pk · fortunegreece.com · fr.news.yahoo.com · gamereactor.it · gamereactor.no · gercekgundem.com · globalnation.inquirer.net · guardian.co.uk · haber7.com · hani.co.kr · ibtimes.co.uk · idsn.co.kr · independent.co.uk · index.hr · international.sindonews.com · intriper.com · islamabadpost.com.pk · itravelqatar.com · lifo.gr · m.hani.co.kr · m.imaeil.com · m.soha.vn · news.az · news.co.za · news.donga.com · news.heraldcorp.com · news.yam.md · newscentral.africa · niacouncil.org · noticias24hrs.com.ve · osul.com.br · planet-today.com

This summary has been updated 15 times: see revision history