Scorching heat to persist Monday, with highs reaching 37 C

With heat wave alerts in effect across most of the country, temperatures are forecast to climb as high as 37 degrees Celsius on Monday. The sweltering conditions are expected to continue for now, with the maximum heat index reaching around 33 C.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said Sunday that temperatures will remain above seasonal norms across most of the country for the time being, with tropical nights likely in many areas.

However, a major heat wave warning issued for Gyeongsan and Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province at 11 a.m. Sunday was downgraded to a standard heat wave warning at 4 p.m.

A major heat wave warning is issued when the daily maximum heat index is forecast to reach 38 C or the daily high to reach 39 C, and is lifted when both the heat index and the high are expected to fall below 37 C and 38 C, respectively.

The afternoon high in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan reached 36.4 C on Sunday — lower than Saturday's 39.9 C, as cloud cover blocked direct sunlight. In Gigye-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang, where the mercury had climbed to 37.2 C on Saturday, the afternoon high also eased to 36.5 C.

Elsewhere, temperatures surged in Samcheok, Gangwon Province (37.5 C), Ganam-eup in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province (37.2 C), Asan in South Chungcheong Province (37.0 C) and Sinam-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu (37.0 C).

Daejeon recorded a high of 35.3 C, Seoul 35.0 C, Incheon 34.6 C, Ulsan 33.7 C, Gwangju 32.9 C and Busan 31.7 C.

The heat is expected to persist Monday. Morning lows are forecast to range from 23 to 27 C, with afternoon highs between 30 and 37 C.

Forecast highs by city on Monday are: Seoul 33 C, Incheon 32 C, Daejeon 35 C, Ulsan 33 C, Gwangju 32 C, Daegu 37 C and Busan 31 C.

Scattered showers are expected mainly in inland areas of the central region and North Jeolla Province, but will not be enough to break the heat.

Rainfall from the showers is forecast at 5 to 40 millimeters in the Greater Seoul area and 5 to 20 millimeters in inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, the Chungcheong provinces and the Jeolla provinces.

While heat grips the entire country, rain is in the forecast for Jeju Island and the South Jeolla Province area.

Jeju Island can expect 5 to 20 millimeters of rain — with 20 to 80 millimeters in mountainous areas — from Sunday through Monday. Gwangju, South Jeolla Province and western South Gyeongsang Province will also see 5 to 20 millimeters of rain over the two days, with most of it tapering off by Monday evening.

Areas receiving showers or rain will see a temporary drop in temperatures, but once the rain stops, humidity will remain high and the heat will return.

Strong winds are also battering Jeju Island.

The meteorological administration warned that Jeju Island, where a strong wind advisory is in effect, will see gusts exceeding 70 kilometers per hour (20 meters per second) through Sunday night, urging residents to secure facilities and guard against accidents.