SEOUL–South Korea recorded its highest temperature on Friday since modern weather observations began, as a prolonged heatwave pushed temperatures ‌above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees ⁠Fahrenheit) for a ⁠third straight day in parts of the country.

The record was ⁠set in the southeastern city of Yangsan, where temperatures reached 41.4 C at 1:40 p.m. (0440 ‌GMT), according to ⁠the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The reading ​surpassed the previous national record of 41.0 C set in Hongcheon in August 2018.

Yangsan has now recorded temperatures above 40 C for three consecutive days amid an intense heatwave affecting much of the country.

The KMA has issued its highest-level heatwave warning for parts of South Gyeongsang ⁠Province, including ​Yangsan, ​while heatwave advisories and ‌warnings remain in effect across most of South Korea.

“KMA ‌data records using the ASOS observing system began ​in 1973, and the 41.4 degrees measured in Yangsan is the highest temperature observed ⁠in our records since then,” a KMA spokesperson said.

The KMA said the ⁠extreme heat across the country was caused by the simultaneous influence of the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High pressure systems, which have covered the Korean Peninsula like a lid, trapping heat and allowing temperatures to build across much of the country while limiting cloud cover.

Forecasters are ⁠also monitoring ​Typhoon Dolphin in the western Pacific, whose eventual track could influence weather conditions over ‌the Korean Peninsula next week, ​although its impact ​on the ongoing heatwave remains uncertain.