Seoul: The temperature in Seoul soared to 37.7 C at around 3 p.m. Tuesday, marking the highest temperature ever recorded for early July in the capital since record-keeping began in 1908, the state weather agency reported. This new record surpasses the previous high for the first 10 days of July in Seoul, which was 36.8 C, recorded on July 9, 1939.

According to Yonhap News Agency, this unprecedented heatwave established Seoul's hottest day for early July in 117 years. Other cities across the nation also experienced record-breaking temperatures for early July. Incheon recorded 35.6 C, Wonju in Gangwon Province reached 35.4 C, Suwon in Gyeonggi Province hit 35.7 C, Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province also saw 35.7 C, Daejeon experienced 36.3 C, Gochang in North Jeolla Province reached 35.8 C, and Busan recorded 34.5 C.

The weather agency indicated that while the sweltering heat might slightly ease around Friday, the influx of hot and humid air from the south is expected to cause the high temperatures to resume. Notably, temperatures in Paju and Gwangmyeong, just south of Seoul, exceeded 40 C for the first time in July.

The ongoing heat wave is anticipated to persist until some rainfall occurs in the capital area and western Gangwon Province around July 16. Additionally, Seoul experienced its ninth consecutive tropical night between Monday and Tuesday. The nation's average temperature, excluding the southern Jeju Island, in the first seven days of July was recorded at 28.1 C, the highest figure since record-keeping began in 1973.