Last year, Korea experienced its hottest temperatures since 1973. Besides the heat waves and tropical nights that lasted until September, an unusual climate phenomenon was also evident with heavy snowfall occurring in November.
The 2050 Carbon Neutral Green Growth Committee and government agencies jointly published the '2024 Climate Anomaly Report' on the 1st.
According to the report, last year's summer average temperature was 25.6℃, which is 1.9℃ higher than the average, marking the highest recorded since 1973. The number of tropical nights reached 20.2 days, 3.1 times higher than the average, also claiming the top spot in history.
As the summer heat continued until September, the average temperature for September also recorded a historic high of 24.7℃. The number of heat wave days in September was 6.0 days, significantly longer than the average of 0.2 days. Additionally, the number of tropical nights in September was 4.3 days, which was exceptionally high compared to the average of 0.1 days.
In the agricultural sector, the heat waves and high temperatures from July to September caused damage across 3,477 hectares (ha) of crops, including ginseng. Damage from rice pests amounted to 17,732 ha.
The sea surface temperature was also notably high. Based on observations from surrounding waters, the sea surface temperature was 17.8℃, the highest in the last decade (2015-2024). The number of days with abnormal high sea temperatures reached 182.1 days, which is 3.6 times the recent decade average of 50.4 days. The damage from the deaths of cultured fish species due to high summer temperatures amounted to 143 billion won.
During the monsoon season (June 19 - July 27), the nationwide rainfall was 474.8 mm, marking the 11th highest on record. Notably, 78.8% of summer rainfall occurred during the monsoon season, demonstrating the most concentrated rainfall in this period since 1973.
In late November, an unusual phenomenon appeared with heavy snowfall primarily in central regions, resulting from high sea surface temperatures and a significant difference in low atmospheric temperatures.
Jang Dong-eon, head of the Korea Meteorological Administration, noted, 'In 2024, our country experienced record-breaking annual average temperatures, unprecedented tropical nights, concentrated rainfall during the monsoon season, and heavy snowfall in November,' and added, 'The global average temperature also rose by a record 1.55℃ compared to pre-industrial levels, marking a year in which the climate crisis was truly felt.'