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1. Motivation

Motivation

2024. 08. 01 ~ 2024. 08. 07

In 2024, the average number of days of heat waves was 24 days, 2.3 times that of 2023 which was 10.6 days, making it the third highest on record. The number of tropical nights was 20.2 days, the highest ever recorded, and was 3.1 times higher than the average year which was 6.5 days.

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The heat waves persisted as warm, humid westerly winds flowed into the lower troposphere, while the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High simultaneously strengthened in the mid-to-upper troposphere, creating a heat dome phenomenon. This heat wave phenomenon goes beyond just simply ‘hot weather’ and has a huge impact on our daily lives such as agriculture, industry and health.

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As heatwaves are a phenomenon that can be directly felt, it can raise awareness of climate changes. And considering the duration and intensity of the 2024 heat waves, we thought it would be meaningful to analyze the most intense week as it shows the severity of the problem.

2. The Severity and Impact
     of the 2024 Heatwave

The Severity and Impact of the 2024 Heatwave

1) Record-Breaking Temperatures and Number of Days

  • National average temperature: 25.6℃ → Highest on record (+1.9℃ above average)

  • Number of heatwave days: 24.0 days (2.3 times the average of 10.6 days) → 3rd highest on record

  • Number of tropical nights: 20.2 days (3.1 times the average of 6.5 days) → Highest on record

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2) Regional Record-Breaking Events

  • Highest number of heatwave days on record: 10 locations including Miryang, Hapcheon, and Sancheong

  • Highest number of tropical nights on record: 36 locations including Jeju (56 days), Seoul (39 days), and Yeosu (42 days)

3) Marine Damage and Increase in Heat-Related Illnesses

  • Aquaculture losses due to mass mortality: 143 billion KRW (more than 3 times the previous year)

  • Heat-related illness cases: 3,704 → 31.4% increase compared to the previous year

4) Agricultural Damage

  • Crop damage: 3,477 hectares

  • Brown planthopper infestation due to prolonged high temperatures: 17,732 hectares

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