All-time Records in North and South Korea: Senbong +35,8°C, Ulchin +38,6°C, Linghbi in China +41,0°C, Japan Extremely Hot, too
Marek Kučera 
East Asia is enduring a brutal and historic heat wave in early July 2025, with countless temperature records shattered across South Korea, North Korea, China, and Japan. The magnitude and persistence of this event have stunned meteorologists, with heat indexes exceeding 50°C, tropical nights lasting for nearly a week, and thousands of daily and all-time highs broken.
Unprecedented Heat in the Korean Peninsula
South Korea is experiencing unmatched nocturnal warmth, with 6 consecutive tropical nights exceeding 29°C, something never before observed in the nation’s climate history. Daytime extremes followed suit:
- Ulchin: 38.6°C – New all-time record
- Donghae: 38.3°C – New July record
- Bukgangneung: 37.9°C – New all-time record
North Korea is also seeing unprecedented temperatures:
- Senbong: 24.3°C / 35.8°C – Hottest night and day ever recorded
- Changjin: 20.8°C (at 1100 m) – Highest July minimum at this altitude
China: Records Pulverized Again
For months, China has been battered by relentless heat. Thousands of records have fallen, and July is continuing the pattern with historic heat in the East:
- 13 stations broke July records
- 7 of these set or tied all-time records
Notable examples:
- Lingbi: 41.0°C
- Binhai: 39.4°C
- Xiangshui: 39.2°C
This adds to the mounting evidence of severe and sustained climate disruption across the region.
Japan Suffers With Heat and Humidity
In Japan, the heat is coupled with extreme humidity, leading to dangerous temperature-humidity indices (THIs) over 50°C.
Key highlights:
- Tanegashima broke its record for the hottest July night again with a minimum of 28.5°C
- Daytime highs across the country range 35–39°C
- Forecasters warn of hundreds more records in coming days, including temperatures exceeding 40°C
Detail.
