Year's first heat wave advisory comes early

The year's first heat wave advisory was issued for the southeastern Gyeonsang area, including Daegu, Ulsan and Gimhae, on Monday.

Children play in the water on Monday at Jangyu Daecheong Valley in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, where a heat wave advisory was issued for the first time this summer. A heat wave advisory is issued when the apparent temperature is expected to be 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit) or higher for two consecutive days. [YONHAP]

Children on Monday are cooling off in a fountain at Pyeongri Park in Daegu, where this year's first heat wave advisory was issued. [YONHAP]

The year's first heat wave advisory was issued for the southeastern Gyeonsang area, including Daegu, Ulsan and Gimhae, on Monday.

The Korea Meteorological Administration issued the advisory at 10 a.m. in Daegu; western Ulsan; North Gyeongsang’s Yeoncheon, Gyeongsan, Cheongdo and Gyeongju; and South Gyeongsang’s Gimhae and Changnyeong. The advisory took effect immediately.

This year’s heat wave advisory came a week earlier than last year's, which was issued on June 17.

A heat wave is defined as a period of abnormally hot weather when the highest temperature of the day reaches 33 Celsius (91.4 Fahrenheit).

A heat wave advisory is issued when the apparent temperature is expected to be 33 Celsius or higher for two consecutive days. It is also issued when damages are expected due to a sudden increase in apparent temperature or prolonged heat wave conditions.

Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang is predicted to experience temperatures as high as 35 Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the apparent temperature expected to hit 33 Celsius, raising concerns about heat wave damages.

This summer is predicted to see more heat wave advisories than previous years, as forecasts predict high temperatures and frequent rainfall from June to August.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]