Seoul - South Korea recorded its hottest April in nearly fifty years, with the average temperature across the nation reaching 14.9°C, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported on Tuesday. This significant rise in temperature marks the highest since the nationwide meteorological observation network's completion in 1973.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the record temperature surpassed the previous high of 14.7°C set in 1998, with the average daily high in April reaching 21.1°C, up by 2.5°C from earlier years. The peak of the heatwave was noted on April 14, when temperatures in the greater Seoul area and parts of Gangwon Provinces soared to around 30°C. The unusual weather conditions were attributed to strong southerly winds, caused by high atmospheric pressure near the Philippines, and a lack of cold Arctic air reaching mid-latitudes. Additionally, the KMA highlighted the role of global warming, noting a nationwide temperature increase of 0.8°C over the past 51 years.