South Korea endured its hottest summer since nationwide weather observations began in 1973, with the average temperature from June through August reaching 25-point-seven degrees Celsius.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration(KMA) on Thursday, the national average of tropical nights, defined by temperatures staying above 25 degrees, reached 15-point-five this summer, much higher than previous years. 

For Seoul, the figure hit a whopping 46, breaking all records since related documentation began in 1908.

This year’s monsoon season began earlier than usual in mid-June and ended on June 26 in Jeju, July 1 in the southern regions, and July 20 in the central region.

The KMA said although the monsoon period was shorter than usual, total summer rainfall for the country reached 619-point-seven millimeters, which is about 85 percent of the annual average.