Seoul recorded a daytime high of 29.6 degrees Celsius on Oct. 11, making it the hottest day in the middle third of October since weather observations began in the capital in 1907, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The temperature was measured at 2:20 p.m. at the Seoul weather station in Songwol-dong, Jongno District.
The reading surpassed the previous mid-October record of 29.3 degrees, set on Oct. 14, 1939. It was also Seoulโs third-highest temperature for any day in October. The new mark came amid unusually warm autumn weather across much of the country.
Several other cities set or matched notable seasonal records. Jeonju reached 31.4 degrees, Daejeon 30.2 degrees and Boryeong 30.1 degrees, each establishing a new local high for the middle of October. Chuncheon reached 28.8 degrees, its highest daily maximum recorded in October.
Records fall beyond the capital
Conditions varied within Seoul because official records and local automated readings use different observation sites. An automatic weather station in Dobong District registered 31.7 degrees, but that figure is separate from the official city record measured at the Seoul weather station.
- Previous Seoul record
- 29.3 degrees Celsius on Oct. 14, 1939
- Rain outlook
- Nationwide rainfall forecast for Oct. 13
The late heat is expected to ease after rainfall. Forecasters said showers could develop over inland parts of central South Korea from the afternoon into the evening of Oct. 12. Nationwide rain forecast for Oct. 13 is then expected to bring temperatures down, making the timing and extent of the cooling the next point to watch.