Seoul Hits 40.2°C in Nowon, First Time Above 40 Since 2018

What happened

An automatic weather station in Seoul's northern Nowon ward recorded 40.2 degrees Celsius at 3:28 p.m. Friday, the Korea Meteorological Administration said — the first time the capital has topped 40 C since Aug. 1, 2018, when it hit a record 41.8 C. The same heat wave pushed readings to 40.7 C in Hanam's Deokpung district just outside Seoul and 40.2 C in the southern city of Gwangyang, some 300 kilometers away. Nationwide, the average number of heat wave days since June 1 has reached 14.8, the fourth-highest tally since observation records began in 1973, while tropical nights have hit a record 13.

• Seoul's Nowon ward hit 40.2 C at 3:28 p.m. on Aug. 7, per the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), cited by Yonhap.
• It is Seoul's first reading above 40 C since Aug. 1, 2018, when the city recorded 41.8 C, per KMA data.
• Hanam's Deokpung district, just southeast of Seoul, reached 40.7 C at 2:32 p.m., the day's highest nationwide reading, per KMA.
• Gwangyang, about 300 km south of Seoul, hit 40.2 C at 2:37 p.m., while Yeongwol and Yeoju both reached 39.8 C, per KMA.
• The nationwide average of heat wave days (33 C or higher) since June 1 stands at 14.8, the fourth-highest since the observation network expanded in 1973, and tropical nights have hit a record 13, per KMA.

What we don't know yet

• How long the extreme heat will persist beyond the weekend; KMA forecasts only slight easing, with highs still reaching up to 35 C Saturday in some areas.
• The sources report no casualty or heat-illness figures tied specifically to Friday's readings.

Why it matters

A confirmed 40 C-plus reading in the capital — only the second on record — signals extreme heat severe enough to strain power demand, agriculture and outdoor labor safety across a metropolitan area of roughly 10 million people.

Claims

• ConfirmedSeoul's Nowon ward recorded 40.2°C at 3:28 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2026.
• ConfirmedIt is the first time Seoul has recorded above 40°C since Aug. 1, 2018, when the city hit a record 41.8°C.
• ConfirmedHanam's Deokpung district reached 40.7°C at 2:32 p.m., the highest nationwide reading that day.
• ConfirmedNationwide average heat wave days since June 1 reached 14.8, the fourth-highest since 1973.
• ConfirmedTropical nights this summer have reached a record 13 days nationwide.