Travel
Record-breaking late summer heat wave hits Busan, surpassing 1994 levels
haps magazine korea
September 15, 2024
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The late summer heat wave continues relentlessly, setting new records in Busan.
Despite being September, heat wave warnings have been issued, and the number of tropical nights in the city has surpassed the infamous summer of 1994, previously considered the worst heat wave of the 20th century.
On September 12th, the Busan Regional Meteorological Administration issued a heat wave warning for parts of eastern Busan, including Gijang-gun, Haeundae-gu, Suyeong-gu, and Nam-gu. These warnings are triggered when the perceived temperature is expected to stay above 35°C for more than two consecutive days.
Other areas across Gyeongnam, such as Yangsan, Changwon, and Gimhae, also received warnings, while heat advisories were issued for the rest of Busan, Ulsan, and all of Gyeongnam.
Heat wave warnings in September are rare. On September 10th, Busan recorded a high of 34.2°C, marking the latest occurrence of a heat wave day in September, beating the previous record set on September 4th, 1944.
The city has now experienced 16 heat wave days this year, the second-highest on record, just behind 2018’s 18 days.
The number of tropical nights, when nighttime temperatures remain above 25°C is 48, beating the 47 days from 1994.
Forecasters predict that from September 14th to 18th, during the Chuseok holidays, temperatures in the Busan-Ulsan region will remain around 5°C above the seasonal average.
Busan has also endured seven consecutive tropical nights from September 5th to 11th, marking the longest September streak since records began in 1904.
Although the extreme heat is expected to persist through the holidays, relief is anticipated after September 19th when cooler air is predicted to bring temperatures down.