Korea seeing unusually warm weather for November

Korea is seeing unusually high temperatures for this time of year, with the Korea Meteorological Administration saying the high in most regions of the country was up to 15 degrees Celsius higher than the average of 7 to 12 degrees.

On Sunday, the highest temperature was 17 degrees in Seoul, 20.8 in Suwon, 21.1 in Wonju, 19.9 in Daejeon, 20.7 in Busan, and 20.4 in Gwangju. Ulsan saw a high of 21.9 degrees, a record since Korea began meteorological observation in 1932. The lowest temperature in the country was at 11.7 degrees in Incheon, but this was still the highest in 107 years.

On Nov. 3-5, the highest temperature was higher by more than 10 degrees with 23 degrees in Seoul, 25 in Daejeon, and 24 in Busan.

The unusually warm weather has grown more frequent as the North Pacific high, which is supposed to shrink significantly by now, has maintained its presence. The high sends off warm air to the Korean Peninsula like a fan heater.

The weather watchdog said Tuesday will see relatively warmer weather with 14 degrees in Seoul, 17 in Daejeon, 18 in Jeonju, Mokpo and Busan, and 19 in Gwangju.

"Even after rain falls nationwide Wednesday, the temperature won`t drop significantly. It`ll be rather higher than the average," a weather forecaster said. "The warm weather will continue until early December."

The high temperature has a negative impact on farming. Farmhouses producing dried persimmon in Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province have suffered damage as persimmon lost their stalk end before being dried and went moldy. Dried persimmon need low temperature and dry weather.

North Chungcheong and the western region of Gangwon Province are expected to see a 20-percent decline in the production of dried persimmon.

zozo@donga.com