Seoul breaks heat record with 26 warm nights

Seoul has recorded its 26th consecutive "tropical night," where temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius from sunset to dawn, marking a new historic milestone since meteorological records began in 1907.

This streak surpasses the previous record set in 2018, according to the Korean Meteorological Agency (KMA).

Director Yun Ki-han of Seoul's meteorological forecasting department explained that the persistent high temperatures are due to warm air currents from the southwest, preventing cooler air from the north from affecting the city. Over the past 26 days, night temperatures in Seoul have not fallen below 26.8 degrees Celsius.

The KMA's Seoul office anticipates that high overnight temperatures will continue, with daily records likely to be set until next week. This prolonged heat wave aligns with a global trend of intense summer temperatures. In July, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of an "epidemic of extreme heat" and urged action to mitigate the effects of heat waves intensified by climate change.