By Moon Gwang-lip
Staff Reporter


Seoul residents have suffered from hot and humid nights since the summer rainy season ended on July 18, with the average morning temperature over the past seven days hitting an eight-year high.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said on Tuesday that the average morning low July 19-26 in the capital was 25.2 C, the highest since 1997, when it reached 25.7 C.

The figure is up from 24.1 C from the same period last year.

``After the rainy season, the North Pacific anticyclone, accompanied by scorching heat and heavy humidity coming from the southwest, brought the hot and humid nights in Seoul,’’ KMA forecaster Kim Seung-bai said.

The hot nights came after the rainy spell, which prevailed June 26-July 18, making it difficult for many to sleep soundly.

The daytime highs in the capital also reached their highest level in four years with an average of 31.8 C.

Kwangju and Chunchon have also seen higher morning lows and daytime highs than last year while seven cities _ Kangnung, Taejon, Chongju, Chonju, Taegu, Pusan and Cheju _ were witnessing cooler days and nights.

``The `heat island’ phenomenon, due to rapid urbanization, is seen as contributing to the rise in temperatures in Seoul and other cities,’’ the forecaster said.

Kim predicted the hot and humid nights to continue through early August.

``The heat wave will prevail over the Korean Peninsula until early next month and relatively hot weather will continue through the end of August,’’ Kim said.

joseph@koreatimes.co.kr