"Immediate Suspension of Outdoor Activities, Life-Threatening Levels": Heatwave Critical Alert Issued for the First Time Across Daegu and North Gyeongsang

The Highest Alert Level Introduced in 18 Years
KMA Urges Immediate Implementation of ‘Survival Guidelines’

On July 25, which marks the middle of the summer’s hottest period (Jungbok), the highest-level heatwave warning, known as the "heatwave critical alert," was issued for Daegu, parts of North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, and South Jeolla Provinces. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) called for the immediate suspension of outdoor activities and urged extra attention to the safety of vulnerable people.

On this day, the KMA sequentially issued the heatwave critical alert, starting with Gwangyang in South Jeolla, followed by Daegu, Goryeong, Pohang, and Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang, and Yangsan in South Gyeongsang. While Pohang and Gyeongju had already experienced such alerts once this summer, this was the first time for the other regions.

Currently, most regions nationwide, except for parts of Gangwon Province, are under some form of heatwave advisory, with many also subject to a tropical night warning.

On the 11th, when the heatwave warning was in effect, heat haze was rising above the road due to geothermal heat at Gongpyeong Intersection, Jung-gu, Daegu. Photo by Yonhap News

The heatwave critical alert is the highest stage introduced to the heatwave alert system in 2026, marking the first new upgrade in 18 years since the heatwave advisory system was established in 2008. This alert is issued when the daily maximum apparent temperature is expected to reach at least 38 degrees Celsius or when the maximum temperature is forecasted to exceed 39 degrees Celsius for at least one day. As climate change intensifies heatwave damages and heat-related deaths, an even stricter response system was put in place compared to previous advisories.

The KMA stated, "Extreme heat continues, and the level of heatwave that threatens lives has become a reality," and recommended that residents in regions affected by the heatwave critical alert immediately practice the "Stop, Move, and Check" guidelines for survival. This means refraining from unnecessary outdoor activities, moving to air-conditioned spaces, and checking the health conditions of vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

Currently, the Korean Peninsula is experiencing a "double heat dome" phenomenon, with the Tibetan high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere and the North Pacific high-pressure system in the middle and lower layers simultaneously exerting influence. As hot air becomes trapped in the atmosphere, temperatures across the country have continued to rise steadily since July 10, and in areas under the critical alert, the maximum apparent temperature has exceeded 35 degrees Celsius for two consecutive days.

As of 2:00 p.m. on July 25, the highest apparent temperatures were recorded as follows: Yangsan 38.0 degrees Celsius, Gwangyang 37.4 degrees, and Gimhae 37.1 degrees. The highest actual temperature soared to 39.1 degrees in Yangsan, 37.5 degrees in Gyeongju, 37.2 degrees in Sinhaem, Daegu and Gimhae, and 36.7 degrees in Goryeong.

The KMA forecast that the heatwave is expected to persist for the time being, with the possibility that the area covered by the heatwave critical alert may expand further.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.