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2026 Vol.61, Issue 2 Preview Page
Study on Definition, Change and Future Projection of Compound Extreme Heat Events in the Republic of Korea Considering their Intensity and Duration

강도와 지속성을 고려한 우리나라 복합극한고온현상의 정의, 변화와 전망에 관한 연구

Yehyun Kyounga
,
Hansu Leeb
,
Taemin Leec
,
Donggun Limd
,
Dasom Choie
,
Youngeun Choif*
경 예현a
,
이 한수b
,
이 태민c
,
임 동건d
,
최 다솜e
,
최 영은f*
aUndergraduate Student, Department of Geography, Konkuk University
bPhD Student, Department of Geography, Konkuk University
cBachelor of Geography, Department of Geography, Konkuk University
dUndergraduate Student, Department of Geography, Konkuk University
eAssistant Director, Climate Crisis Cooperation Division, Korea Meteorological Administration
fProfessor, Department of Geography, Konkuk University
a건국대학교 지리학과 학사과정
b건국대학교 지리학과 박사과정
c건국대학교 지리학과 학사
d건국대학교 지리학과 학사과정
e기상청 기후위기협력팀 기상주사
f건국대학교 지리학과 교수
*Corresponding Author
30 April 2026. pp. 304-318
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Abstract

Human induced global warming has led to greater risks of extreme heat events, which intensify negative impacts on human society and ecosystem. The intensified extreme heat events can lead to prolonged heat conditions, and such compound events often result in amplified impacts. However, the current lack of appropriate indicators to capture characteristics of compound extremes makes it difficult to detect these phenomena accurately and evaluate their potential danger. Thus, we developed two compound extreme heat indicators, Consecutive Heat Event (CHE) and Heatwave (HW) to assess the successive heat occurrence in the Republic of Korea. The national averaged frequencies of CHE and HW indicated significant upward trends, supported by a notable rise after the 2010s. Intensity, severity, and duration of those events also followed increasing pattern to frequencies. Analysis of individual station data reveals that urban areas exhibited the highest vulnerability to compound extreme heat events, primarily influenced by the Urban Heat Island effects. Under the high-emission scenario, robust increases in the frequency of CHE and HW were detected nationwide, accompanied by strengthened intensity and durations of heat events. Even under the lowest-emission scenario, the compound extreme heat events were projected to increase in the near future due to the accumulated greenhouse gas, however they stabilized as the time progressed.

Keywords
compound extreme heat event
extreme heat indicator
climate change
future projection
the Republic of Korea
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Geographical Society
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한지리학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
  • Journal Title(Ko) :대한지리학회지
  • Volume : 61
  • No :2
  • Pages :304-318
  • Received Date : 2026-03-25
  • Revised Date : 2026-04-27
  • Accepted Date : 2026-04-28
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22776/kgs.2026.61.2.304
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