South Korea marks hottest April since 1973, average daily temperatures go 2.5 degrees higher

South Korea marked the hottest April since comprehensive records started in 1973, said the state weather agency on Tuesday (May 7). It added that the average daily temperature rose by more than 2.5 degrees, in comparison to previous years.

"The highest average national temperature for April (is) 14.9 degrees Celsius (58.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in 2024," said the Korea Meteorological Administration, further stating that it was the highest recorded in April since the establishment of the national weather observation network in 1973. 

The KMA stated that the previous record was 14.7 degrees Celsius, which was recorded in April 1998. It added that average nationwide temperatures in April surpassed the average temperature of 12.1 degrees Celsius recorded in April between 1991 and 2020.

The average daily high temperature reached a record-breaking 21.1 degrees, which was an increase of 2.5 degrees from the average temperature from 1991 to 2020.

Also Read: South Korea's 'first' sex festival gets cancelled. Here's what changed its fate

April 14 also witnessed especially high temperatures as it soared to approximately 30 degrees in daytime in the greater Seoul region and areas of Gangwon province.

High pressure flows "developed over the Philippine Sea and east of Taiwan, resulting in warm southerly winds flowing into our country along the edge of the high pressure", said KMA, in a statement.

Warming climate in Asia

As per the UN's World Meteorological Organisation, Asia has been warming faster in comparison to the global average.

In the region, major swathes of South and Southeast Asia have faced an intensive heatwave which has topped temperature records from Myanmar to the Philippines, as the El Nino phenomenon has been pushing the exceptionally warm weather of this year.

In February, the head of last year's COP28 climate talks stated that the world requires "trillions" of dollars to deal with global warming and green transition and warned that the political momentum can evaporate without clear action.

Watch: South Korea to Probe in 2022 Halloween tragedy

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have been facing pressure to initiate major reforms to align their lending plans with the Paris deal goal which is capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius, beyond preindustrial levels.

(With inputs from agencies)