Recent Changes in the Frequency of Occurrence of Extreme Weather Events in South Korea

최근 우리나라의 이상기상 발생횟수의 변화

The frequency of extreme weather events was analyzed using meteorological data (air temperature, precipitation, and duration of sunshine) collected from 61 stations over a 36-year span (1981-2016). The 10-day meteorological data were used as a basic unit for this analysis. On average, the frequency of occurrence of abnormal weather was 9.88 per year and has increased significantly during this 36-year period. According to the type of abnormal weather, the frequencies of occurrence of abnormally high air temperature and short duration of sunshine have increased by 0.50 and 0.41 per 10 years, respectively; however, that for abnormally low air temperature has decreased by 0.31 per 10 years and the trend was statistically significant. The highest frequency of abnormal weather appeared in 2007, with a frequency of 14.31. Abnormal weather was the most frequent at Yeongdeok station with an average frequency of 11.78 per year over this 36-year span.