Early Summer Heat Hits Central Region, Temperatures Nearing 30°C

An early summer-like heatwave has hit the central region with temperatures significantly higher than average. Yesterday, Seoul recorded a daytime high of 28 degrees Celsius, 10.5 degrees above normal, while areas such as Yangju, Gapyeong, and Wonju experienced temperatures nearing 30 degrees.

This early heatwave is attributed to the influence of upper atmospheric currents, with an intensified high-pressure system over East Asia caused by early snowmelt in Europe and changes in Atlantic Ocean temperatures.

Global sea surface temperatures in March ranked as the second highest on record, while sea surface temperatures in the Korean Peninsula region were the third highest. This unusually warm ocean is identified as another contributing factor to the temperature increase.

The possibility of El Niño, which causes global average temperatures to rise, has increased, and climate prediction models from various countries forecast higher-than-average summer temperatures for East Asia.