Extreme heat scorches Yeongdeungpo to 40 C, halts pro baseball

Scorching heat is forecast to persist Friday — the traditional solar term marking the start of autumn — with daytime highs expected to reach 39 degrees Celsius. Overnight, a water leak cut power to an apartment complex in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, leaving 560 households without electricity during a tropical night.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast morning lows Friday at 22 to 27 C, with afternoon highs ranging from 31 to 39 C.

KMA automated weather station data recorded temperatures across major cities as of 6 a.m. Friday: Seoul 28.7 C, Incheon 29.1 C, Chuncheon 24.2 C, Gangneung 24.3 C, Daejeon 26.4 C, Daegu 24.9 C, Jeonju 27.1 C, Gwangju 26.2 C, Busan 27.2 C, Ulsan 23.8 C and Jeju 27.4 C.

Afternoon highs are expected to reach Seoul 39 C, Incheon 38 C, Chuncheon 38 C, Gangneung 32 C, Daejeon 37 C, Daegu 37 C, Jeonju 39 C, Gwangju 38 C, Busan 35 C, Ulsan 34 C and Jeju 33 C.

Heat wave advisories are in effect across most of the country. On Thursday, Seoul's official high — measured at the Seoul Meteorological Observatory in Jongno-gu — reached 37.9 C. Yongsan-gu recorded 39.9 C, the highest reading among all official stations nationwide, while an automated weather station in Yeongdeungpo-gu briefly hit 40.0 C during the afternoon.

However, automated weather station readings are not used in the KMA's official statistics, as they tend to reflect artificial heat sources in urban areas such as air conditioner outdoor units.

Seoul recorded its 16th consecutive tropical night. With air conditioning essential even after dark, a power outage struck an apartment complex in Euncheon-dong, Gwanak-gu, shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, causing significant hardship for residents.

The outage left 560 households across three buildings without air conditioners or fans. About 90 residents evacuated to a nearby community center, elementary school and senior center to spend the night.

A Gwanak-gu Office official said power to shared facilities such as elevators and hallways had been restored by 8 a.m., and electricity to individual units was expected to be largely restored by midmorning. "As the heat wave continues, we operated two temporary shelters overnight — the gymnasium of Euncheon Elementary School and the auditorium of the Euncheon-dong community center," the official said.

Some relief from the heat is possible this weekend.

The dual influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High over the Korean Peninsula is expected to weaken as a typhoon disrupts the pressure systems, increasing cloud cover, reducing solar radiation and bringing relatively cool northeasterly winds.

On Saturday, morning lows are forecast at 22 to 27 C with afternoon highs of 27 to 36 C. Sunday is expected to bring morning lows of 21 to 26 C and afternoon highs of 26 to 35 C.

Even as temperatures ease slightly, heat wave advisories are still expected to remain in effect. The KMA advised the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during midday hours through the weekend.

The Korea Baseball Organization canceled all pro baseball games scheduled at five stadiums nationwide from Friday through Sunday. The Korea Professional Football League also pushed back all K League 1 matches — five games — and all K League 2 matches — eight games — scheduled for Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.