A farmer drinks ice water while working under the scorching sun in Dasan-myeon, Goryeong County, North Gyeongsang Province, on July 2. / Yonhap News

A heat wave warning was issued for most parts of Korea on July 2, with some areas experiencing apparent temperatures nearing 33 degrees Celsius. Tropical nights, where overnight lows stay above 25 degrees, were recorded nationwide, including in Seoul and surrounding regions, as well as in Daegu, Busan, Gangneung, Cheongju, Mokpo, Pohang, and Seogwipo.

In parts of South Jeolla Province, livestock died in large numbers after being unable to withstand the extreme heat. In Busan, the earliest tropical night in 111 years of recorded history was observed. In Gangneung, the year’s first super tropical night occurred, where overnight temperatures remain above 30 degrees.

According to the Gangwon Regional Office of Meteorology, Gangneung’s lowest temperature from 6 p.m. on July 1 to 6 a.m. on July 2 was 30.3 degrees. Other overnight lows included 28.2 degrees in Samcheok, 27.7 degrees in Yangyang, 26.4 degrees in Donghae, 26.2 degrees in Sokcho, 25.9 degrees in Goseong, and 25.0 degrees in Cheorwon. Gangneung has experienced a total of 16 super tropical nights since weather observations began in 1911, with five occurring just last year.

In Gangneung, some residents sought relief at Gyeongpo Beach in the early morning hours, dipping their feet in the sea. Others headed to higher-altitude areas like the Daegwallyeong trail or Anbandegi, pitching tents or sleeping in parked cars by the roadside.

An official from the Gangwon Regional Office of Meteorology said, “Apparent temperatures in Gangneung will remain above 33 degrees for the time being, and many other regions will also see highs exceeding 31 degrees, making for very hot conditions.”

Busan also saw its first tropical night of the year, with an overnight low of 25.9 degrees, the earliest on record for the southeastern city. Last year, Busan’s first tropical night was recorded on July 20.

Daegu has experienced three consecutive nights of tropical conditions since June 29. According to the Daegu Regional Office of Meteorology, overnight lows on July 1 included 28.2 degrees in Pohang, 26.9 degrees in Daegu, 26.8 degrees in Uljin, and 26.3 degrees in Gyeongsan.

As the heat wave drags on, damage to livestock is increasing. Between June 30 and July 1, a total of 30,025 animals died on 61 farms in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. The toll includes an estimated 27,000 chickens, 2,200 ducks, and 600 pigs, with damages amounting to approximately 287 million won.

Jeju Island also experienced two consecutive tropical nights. According to the Jeju Regional Office of Meteorology, overnight lows from the evening of July 1 to the morning of July 2 were recorded as follows: 25.6 degrees in Jeju, 26.4 degrees in Seogwipo, 25.0 degrees in Seongsan, and 25.0 degrees in Gosan. The apparent temperature is expected to rise to 33 degrees (and up to 35 degrees in the eastern region), with very hot weather forecast to continue.

In some areas, local governments deployed water-spraying trucks to reduce the urban heat island effect during the day. The city of Gunsan in North Jeolla Province dispatched four water trucks, two each to the East and West Gunsan districts. These trucks operate from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., spraying water on roads three to five times daily, with the frequency adjusted depending on weather conditions and heat advisories.

In North Jeolla Province, the cities of Gochang and Jeonju recorded overnight lows of 25.7 degrees and 25.4 degrees, respectively, marking an earlier-than-usual onset of tropical nights. Heat wave alerts have remained in place for six days straight in areas like Iksan, Gimje, and Namwon.

In Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, tropical nights began on June 28. The Cheongju Regional Office of Meteorology reported that the minimum temperature from the evening of July 1 to the morning of July 2 was 26.7 degrees, the earliest such occurrence since records began in 1973.