SEOUL, May 15 (AJP) -An unusually early summer heat spell swept across South Korea on Friday as temperatures in Seoul climbed above 30 degrees Celsius, driving citizens and foreign tourists toward fountains and shaded public spaces to escape the scorching weather.
At Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, visitors crowded around fountain facilities and water features as children splashed through streams of water under clear blue skies. The scene reflected the growing popularity of outdoor urban cooling spots during Korea’s increasingly hotter and longer warm seasons.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, daytime highs nationwide were forecast to range between 22C and 32C, significantly above seasonal averages for mid-May. Morning lows ranged from 10C to 17C.
Meteorologists said the hot and dry conditions arrived earlier than usual this year, fueled by warm southwesterly winds and strong daytime sunshine.
Air quality across most regions was expected to remain at “good” to “moderate” levels, creating favorable conditions for outdoor activities and tourism despite the heat.
Authorities also issued maritime visibility warnings as fog developed over parts of the West Sea and East Sea. Some island areas were expected to see visibility drop below 200 meters alongside light drizzle, raising concerns over maritime safety and ferry operations.
Wave heights were forecast at 0.5 to 1 meter along the eastern and southern coasts, while offshore waves in parts of the South Sea could rise to around 2 meters.
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