South Korea has experienced its hottest April since comprehensive records began in 1973, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The average national temperature soared to 14.9 degrees Celsius (58.8°F) in 2024, surpassing the previous record of 14.7°C set in April 1998.
Nationwide temperatures in April exceeded the 1991-2020 average of 12.1°C, with average daily highs reaching a staggering 21.1°C—an increase of 2.5 degrees from the long-term average. On April 14, the greater Seoul region and parts of Gangwon province saw daytime temperatures climb to approximately 30 degrees Celsius.
This extreme heat is part of a broader trend, as Asia continues to warm faster than the global average. The United Nations' World Meteorological Organization highlights that large areas of South and Southeast Asia are enduring severe heatwaves, with countries from Myanmar to the Philippines breaking temperature records. The El Niño phenomenon has been a significant driver of this year's unusually warm weather.
Amid these rising temperatures, global leaders are calling for urgent action. In February, the head of last year's COP28 climate talks emphasized the need for \"trillions\" of dollars to drive the green transition and mitigate global warming. Without decisive measures, political momentum to address climate change could falter. Additionally, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are under increasing pressure to reform their lending practices to align with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
