Seoul: A heat wave advisory was issued for the eastern mountainous city of Taebaek on Tuesday, placing all areas nationwide, except for the nation's tallest mountain on the southern island of Jeju, under heat wave alerts.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a heat wave advisory is declared when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 33°C for two or more days, while a heat wave warning is issued when the maximum sensible temperature is likely to stay above 35°C, as per the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
With the latest advisory for Taebaek, 181 of the 183 weather alert areas nationwide are either under a heat wave advisory or warning. Only two areas, located in Mount Halla on the southern resort island of Jeju, have not been issued with heat wave alerts.
Taebaek is usually relatively cooler than other areas in the nation as it is situated in a highland basin at an altitude of 650 meters and surrounded by mountains ranging from 1,000 to 1,600 meters tall. The average maximum temperature in Taebaek for July and August between 1991 and 2020 stood at 25.9°C and 26°C respectively.
The nation has been experiencing sweltering heat in recent days due to influences from a North Pacific high-pressure system, which has blown a hot and humid southeasterly wind into the peninsula.