A new study found that 335 million ha (828 million ha) burned worldwide in 2025, the second-lowest global wildfire total since 2002 and 16% below the long-term average. Despite that, 2025 became the costliest year on record for insured wildfire losses globally, with more than 300 000 evacuations and over 90 fatalities linked to major fires in Canada, the United States, Europe, and South Korea.
An extreme rainfall event struck South Korea between August 3 and 4, 2025, triggering severe flooding across the southern regions of the country. Over 280 mm (11 inches) of rainfall was recorded in Muan in just 24 hours, with the hourly rainfall rates reaching over extreme 140 mm (6 inches) on August 4.
Torrential rains between July 16 and 20, 2025, caused widespread flooding and landslides across central and southern South Korea, killing at least 14 people, displacing thousands, and damaging key infrastructure. Some regions recorded nearly 800 mm (31.5 inches) of rain in less than five days, with hourly rainfall rates exceeding 115 mm (4.5 inches), prompting the highest-level landslide and flood alerts nationwide.
At least two people died and more than 1 000 were forced to evacuate after record rainfall hit South Korea on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17, 2025. Seosan in South Chungcheong Province experienced its highest hourly rainfall since records began in 1904.
The main blazes of the deadliest wildfires in South Korean history were contained on Friday, March 28, 2025, after rainfall aided firefighting efforts. At least 28 people have been killed by the fires that have ravaged the country’s southeast since they ignited on March 21.
At least 24 fatalities have been reported as of March 26, 2025, in the deadliest wildfires in South Korean history. The fires have burned through tens of thousands of acres and destroyed national treasures such as a 1 300-year-old temple in Uiseong.
More than 30 wildfires have erupted across South Korea since March 21, 2025, claiming four lives and burning through more than 6 300 ha (15 568 acres) of residential and forest land.
Yellow dust storms from China are forecast to enter Korea on Wednesday afternoon, March 12, 2025, covering the whole nation overnight.
Heavy snowfall has blanketed South Korea for 2 consecutive days on January 27 and 28, 2025, disrupting transportation during the Lunar New Year holiday travels. At least 111 flights were canceled, including 68 flights from Incheon International Airport.
Seoul’s first snow of the season turned into a historic November snowstorm, dumping record-breaking snow over Seoul on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
