A fresh heat wave battered the country Friday as midday highs climbed above 30 degrees Celsius in Seoul and many other cities.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued heat wave advisories in Seoul and seven locations in Gyeonggi Province, including Seongnam and Gwangmyeong.
The KMA issued this year's first heat wave advisory Thursday for five locations in Gyeonggi Province, including Gapyeong and Yangpyeong.
This was the first time that a heat wave advisory had been issued in May.
An advisory is issued when the midday temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees Celsius or higher for two consecutive days. If the mercury soars above 35 degrees, a heat wave warning is posted.
The daytime high surged to 32.6 degrees Celsius in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province; 31.5 degrees in Seoul; and 31.3 degrees in Suwon.
The weather agency predicted the temperature will climb to 33 degrees in Seoul and some other cities across the country, Saturday.
Also, Seoul and other cities in Gyeonggi Province posted an ozone advisory in the afternoon. Long exposure to ozone can cause chest pains, coughing and nausea.
The Ministry of Safety and Security advised the elderly and children to avoid outdoor activities during the daytime and to take care of their health _ it also recommended drinking plenty of water.
"The temperatures in May have been unduly high when looking at the data we have collected since 1994," Lee Hyun-soo, an official at the climate prediction division at the KMA, told The Korea Times.
"We think that this weather condition arose from a migratory high atmospheric pressure," he said, adding that intensified global warming was partly to blame for the heat wave.
The daily highs will also stay around 30 degrees in other parts of the country.
"The ongoing heat wave will begin to fade Tuesday when rain hits the central regions," Lee said.
But the agency said hot weather is forecast to continue throughout the summer.
"June is expected to be hotter than usual," Lee said.
The government is concerned about a surge in energy consumption as people increase their use of air conditioners.
"Because of the early summer, energy consumption nationwide will rapidly rise," Noh Seong-woon, a KMA spokesman said.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued heat wave advisories in Seoul and seven locations in Gyeonggi Province, including Seongnam and Gwangmyeong.
The KMA issued this year's first heat wave advisory Thursday for five locations in Gyeonggi Province, including Gapyeong and Yangpyeong.
This was the first time that a heat wave advisory had been issued in May.
An advisory is issued when the midday temperature is forecast to reach 33 degrees Celsius or higher for two consecutive days. If the mercury soars above 35 degrees, a heat wave warning is posted.
The daytime high surged to 32.6 degrees Celsius in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province; 31.5 degrees in Seoul; and 31.3 degrees in Suwon.
The weather agency predicted the temperature will climb to 33 degrees in Seoul and some other cities across the country, Saturday.
Also, Seoul and other cities in Gyeonggi Province posted an ozone advisory in the afternoon. Long exposure to ozone can cause chest pains, coughing and nausea.
The Ministry of Safety and Security advised the elderly and children to avoid outdoor activities during the daytime and to take care of their health _ it also recommended drinking plenty of water.
"The temperatures in May have been unduly high when looking at the data we have collected since 1994," Lee Hyun-soo, an official at the climate prediction division at the KMA, told The Korea Times.
"We think that this weather condition arose from a migratory high atmospheric pressure," he said, adding that intensified global warming was partly to blame for the heat wave.
The daily highs will also stay around 30 degrees in other parts of the country.
"The ongoing heat wave will begin to fade Tuesday when rain hits the central regions," Lee said.
But the agency said hot weather is forecast to continue throughout the summer.
"June is expected to be hotter than usual," Lee said.
The government is concerned about a surge in energy consumption as people increase their use of air conditioners.
"Because of the early summer, energy consumption nationwide will rapidly rise," Noh Seong-woon, a KMA spokesman said.