Amid the prolonged heatwave, last night in Gangneung and Sokcho, temperatures dropped to a scorching low of over 30 degrees, as two high-pressure systems bringing the heat are covering the Korean Peninsula. There is a high possibility that the heatwave will persist for a while. Let's find out more about the current situation with our reporter Kim Minkyung. Welcome, Kim Minkyung. Hello, a scorching heatwave has occurred. It was observed in Gangneung and Sokcho overnight. Gangneung experienced it for the second time following the 21st of last month, while Sokcho had its first scorching night of the year with a record low temperature of 30.6 degrees. If the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees until 9 a.m. the next morning, it is considered a scorching night. This is one level higher than a tropical night. It refers to when the lowest temperature is above 30 degrees. The term scorching heat is a term used in Japan, which our Korean Meteorological Administration also uses.

We do not officially use the term super tropical night, do we? There must be a reason why it wasn't used in our country. In Korea, it rarely occurs, especially in Gangneung on the East Coast of Gangwon Province, it occurs the most. When the wind crosses the Taebaek Mountains, due to the terrain effect, the temperature rises through the phenomenon of foehn. The occurrence of super tropical nights in Gangneung has been observed only 13 times since the observations began in 1911. The first occurrence was in July 1942 at 31.1 degrees Celsius, then it happened again in 2008. The rest have been observed after 2010. The point to note is that it has occurred for three consecutive years, and this year alone, it has already been observed twice. Yes, a super tropical night occurred in Sokcho today. Does it occasionally occur in other areas as well? That's correct. Tonight, Sokcho's minimum temperature is 30.6 degrees Celsius.

It was recorded as an extreme heat wave. In Sokcho, the lowest temperature was recorded at 30 degrees Celsius on August 4, 2018, marking the first occurrence. In Seoul, there has also been a record of extreme heat waves. It occurred during the unprecedented heatwave in 2018. On August 1st and 2nd of 2018, the lowest temperatures were recorded at 3.3 and 4 degrees Celsius, observed consecutively for two days. Although extreme heat waves have not occurred yet this year in Seoul and Sokcho, there is a possibility of it happening nationwide in August. Now, shall we take a look at the heatwave situation during the day? Yes, currently, a heatwave warning is in effect nationwide, except for Gangwon Yeongdong 1st region and Jeju mountainous areas. Heatwave alerts are being issued in most inland areas such as Gyeonggi, southern Chungcheong, Honam, and Yeongnam regions. Seoul has been under a heatwave warning for the third consecutive day but was downgraded to a heat advisory from 10 a.m. this morning. The sky in Seoul seems cloudier than in other regions, with these clouds being quite strong.

It is because it plays a role as a sunshade. However, the humidity is still high, so it may not be at an alert level, but the perceived temperature will be over 30 degrees, making it quite warm. Yes, but why is it so hot these days? Should we look into the cause? Yes, I will explain while looking at the weather forecast. Yes, if you look at the surface weather map, around 5 to 6 km above the ground, there is a high-pressure system covering the Korean Peninsula completely. Let's take a look at another weather map. This one is around 10 to 12 km above the ground, at a higher altitude. Korea is here, and this time, a high-pressure system expanding from the north of China is covering the Korean Peninsula from the north to the south. As this high-pressure system expands from the north, covering the Korean Peninsula, the mid-to-lower atmospheric layers are affected by the extension of the North Pacific high-pressure system from the south to the north, creating warm and dry conditions.

Due to the influence of a high-pressure system, the entire atmosphere is filled with hot air. In simple terms, it's like suffocating when you cover yourself with a thick blanket up to your head, isn't it? The Korean Peninsula is covered with two thick blankets. Oh, I see. It's not even August, but it can be hotter than the record-breaking heatwave in 2018. In 2018, Hongcheon recorded 41 degrees, marking the highest temperature ever, and Seoul also recorded 39.6 degrees, the hottest in 111 years. This record-breaking heatwave was primarily due to the North Pacific high-pressure system developing earlier and stronger than usual, leading to an early end to the rainy season. Additionally, the North Pacific high-pressure system and the Tibetan high-pressure system developed strongly, completely covering the Korean Peninsula from the third floor to the surface. Moreover, typhoons frequently approach the Korean Peninsula.

While the North-South cold air continues to flow strongly into the Korean Peninsula, this year, the expansion period of the North Pacific High is later than in 2018, and the rainy season has not officially ended yet. Therefore, it is considered less likely to have a stronger heatwave than in 2018. However, the situation is currently experiencing record high temperatures and sea temperatures, so there are variables to consider.  
Sure, I understand. Let's talk about rain as well. These days, when it rains once, it pours heavily. Why is that happening?  
Yes, would you like to see the video first? This is a video that was reported. It was filmed near Jamsil, Seoul on July 10th. There are clouds overall, and cloud columns are rising only in some northern areas.  
Yes, I will show you another photo. This is a photo from Wonju, Gangwon Province, which was a hot topic on SNS. Clouds are strongly developing in one area, appearing as if the smoke is being sucked up into the sky, so it was called a needle rain shower.

This is a rain cloud that causes a shower. It is a phenomenon that often occurs in the summer. Due to the intense sunlight heating the ground and the cold air in the upper atmosphere, creating instability in the air, these clouds develop vertically. Recently, many people are talking about whether the rain we see is due to the monsoon that has poured a lot in Southeast Asia. It is not. The rain in Korea these days is different in terms of formation from the monsoon. Monsoon rain forms when the heat accumulated during the day in the absence of cold air in low-latitude areas such as Southeast Asia is released, causing the air to become unstable and creating intense rain clouds. After the heat is released, the rain clouds disappear, and if the heat accumulates again the next day, it rains in the afternoon, and this cycle repeats. However, in Korea, warm air continues to flow from the south into the lower atmosphere.

In the midst of inflow, cold air continues to linger in the upper atmosphere. When two air masses with different characteristics collide, the atmosphere becomes very unstable. During the day, as the heated temperature rises, heavy rain clouds develop vigorously. If you soak this long towel in the bathtub and stand it up with only the lower part twisted slightly, not much water comes out. This is because it is squeezed. If you twist the entire towel, including the top part, more water comes out. I think we can understand the characteristics of precipitation in Korea as influenced by the upper-level cold air. Yes, I understand. Finally, let's talk about the rainy season. It seems like it has rained a lot, but the rainy season is not over yet. The rainy season covers Korea completely as the North Pacific high pressure expands. It ends when the stationary front is lifted. Just like you saw earlier, when the North Pacific high pressure...

It can be considered that the rainy season has practically ended, extending to near North Korea. However, the Meteorological Administration stated that there are still variables related to the end of the rainy season and plans to officially announce its position through a briefing tomorrow. Yes, I had a good weather report today with reporter Kim Min-kyung. Thank you. Thank you.

전국 대부분 '폭염 특보'…잠 못 드는 밤, 언제까지? [세상만사]

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