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A citizen wearing an umbrella hat walks through Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on the 30th, amid continuing heatwave conditions. / Yonhap

The heatwave that pushed temperatures to 40 degrees in the Yeongnam region is expected to spread to western parts of the Korean Peninsula, including the greater Seoul area, next week. As the center of the high-pressure system shifts, easterly winds will move in, triggering a "foehn phenomenon," and Seoul's daytime high is expected to reach 37 degrees next week.

In its regular briefing on the 30th, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast that the heatwave and tropical nights would continue next week, as the Tibetan High and the North Pacific High — the two pressure systems doubly covering the country — are expected to persist for the time being. The upper-level Tibetan High suppresses cloud formation, allowing strong sunlight to beat down, while the North Pacific High continues to supply hot, humid air, driving the heatwave and tropical nights.

The KMA said the heat is unlikely to ease easily, as the pressure systems are expected to strengthen rather than weaken. Seoul has seen eight consecutive days of tropical nights as of that day. As heat accumulated during the day fails to sufficiently dissipate at night, a growing number of areas are seeing nighttime lows that do not fall below 25 degrees.

Nationwide, morning lows next week are forecast at 24-27 degrees, with daytime highs at 33-39 degrees.

The heatwave, which had mainly affected the eastern part of the Korean Peninsula, is expected to spread to western regions, including the greater Seoul area, starting next week due to easterly winds. While westerly winds are currently prevailing near the surface, easterly winds are expected to move in starting next week as the center of the high-pressure system shifts.

The KMA said that as the easterly winds cross the Taebaek Mountains, the air will dry out and temperatures will rise in a "foehn phenomenon," pushing temperatures even higher in areas west of the Baekdudaegan mountain range. As a result, Seoul's daytime high is forecast to reach 37 degrees on the 5th of next month, while Gangneung and Busan are expected to stay around 34 degrees. Due to its basin topography, Daegu is expected to continue seeing extreme heat of 38-39 degrees next week as well.

The KMA said the heatwave and tropical nights are expected to continue simultaneously for the time being, and urged people to refrain from outdoor activities and drink enough water to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Dolphin, the 13th typhoon of the season, continues to move westward and could affect the pressure systems around Korea, making its future path a variable to watch.

                                                                                                             Kim Tae-hoon