Record Heat Wave in Northeast Asia

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/comment.html?entrynum=278

By: Christopher C. Burt , 7:27 PM GMT on May 30, 2014
UPDATE: June 3

The unprecedented early summer heat wave that affected northeastern China, Mongolia, and the Koreas on May 26-31 has shifted eastward to center over Japan since June 1st and has brought all-time record heat to the northern island of Hokkaido. On June 3rd a reading of 37.8°C (100.0°F) was recorded at Komaba tying Hokkaido’s all-time heat record (for any month) also set at Obihiro on July 12, 1924. At least four heat-related fatalities have been reported and 1,600 hospitalizations due to heat exhaustion.

Twelve official JMA sites on Hokkaido Island have measured their all-time record high temperatures (for any month) on June 2-3. Omu reached 35.1°C (95.2°F), an all-time record, and some 36°F above its normal high for June 3rd of 14.9°C (58.8°F). Monbetsu Airport also recorded an all-time record of 35.2°C (95.4°F) as did Shikaoi with 36.0°C (96.8°F). Sapporo, the island’s principal city, recorded an all-time June monthly record with 32.9°C (91.2°F) surpassing the previous June record of 31.9°C (89.4°F) set on June 29, 1948. Sapporo has a POR dating back to 1877.

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The heat has been notable in the Koreas as well. In South Korea the temperature peaked at 37.4°C (99.3°F) at Taegu on May 31st and in North Korea 36.1°C (97.0°F) at Hamheung on May 29th. The South Korean figure was an all-time national record for the month of May surpassing the previous record of 37.0°C (98.6°F) set at Jinju on May 25, 2000.

Mongolia came close to setting its all-time May heat record with a 36.7°C (98.1°F) temperature at Khalkh Gol on May 31st. The May record of 37.0°C (98.6°F) set at Sainshand on May 26, 1974 still stands.

In Siberia, a reading of 37.2°C (99.0°F) was registered at Borzja on May 31st. It is difficult to know if this was a record May record for any Siberian location.