Busan, South Korea, recorded a temperature of 38.8°C (101.8°F) at 2:56 pm on Wednesday, the highest since meteorological records began in 1904. The previous record of 37.3°C was set in 2016, though some sources report it as 37.7°C.
In Yangsan, a city in southeastern South Korea, temperatures reached 40.3°C (104.5°F) at 3:34 pm, the highest since observations began there in 2008.
Temperature recorded in Yangsan, the highest since 2008.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) attributed the extreme heat to the combined influence of the North Pacific High and Tibetan High pressure systems. KMA forecast that the heat wave would continue through the end of next week.
KMA issued a heat wave warning for parts of Seoul, including eastern and southwestern areas, after the apparent temperature exceeded 35°C (95°F). A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 35°C for two or more consecutive days. This is Seoul's second heat wave warning this summer.
In response, Seoul opened public facilities as cooling shelters and restricted outdoor work at municipal construction sites between 2 pm and 5 pm, while recommending similar measures for private construction sites.