03/30/2023
15.4K
Korea Tour
festival
culture
spring
summer
autumn
winter
guide
Are you dreaming of a trip filled with laughter, touching moments, surprises, unexpected events, and passion-filled days? Then, you have made the best choice possible. Welcome to dynamic Korea. We are sharing an essential guide first timers absolutely need for visiting Korea. Check out and utilize the climate information and recommended tourist spots by season described below to create a more fun-packed, satisfying travel plan.
Weather in Korea
Korea, which falls under the “mid-latitude, temperate climate,” boasts four distinct seasons. Spring and fall display clear and mild weather and summer is hot and humid while winter shows cold and arid climate characteristics. Although the temperatures do not differ much among regions, the southern areas including Busan tend to be warmer as the average temperature is around 4 degrees Celsius higher.
Average temperatures in Korea by city - When temperature is high
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seoul | 1°C | 4°C | 10°C | 17°C | 23°C | 26°C | 28°C | 29°C | 25°C | 19°C | 11°C | 4°C |
Busan | 7°C | 9°C | 13°C | 17°C | 21°C | 24°C | 27°C | 29°C | 26°C | 21°C | 15°C | 10°C |
Gwangju | 5°C | 7°C | 13°C | 19°C | 24°C | 28°C | 30°C | 30°C | 26°C | 21°C | 14°C | 7°C |
Average temperatures in Korea by city - When temperature is high
Seoul | Busan | Gwangju | |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 1°C | 7°C | 5°C |
Feb | 4°C | 9°C | 7°C |
Mar | 10°C | 13°C | 13°C |
Apr | 17°C | 17°C | 19°C |
May | 23°C | 21°C | 24°C |
Jun | 26°C | 24°C | 28°C |
Jul | 28°C | 27°C | 30°C |
Aug | 29°C | 29°C | 30°C |
Sep | 25°C | 26°C | 26°C |
Oct | 19°C | 21°C | 21°C |
Nov | 11°C | 15°C | 14°C |
Dec | 4°C | 10°C | 7°C |
Average temperatures in Korea by city - When temperature is low
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seoul | -6°C | -3°C | 3°C | 9°C | 14°C | 19°C | 22°C | 23°C | 19°C | 11°C | 4°C | -3°C |
Busan | 0°C | 2°C | 6°C | 11°C | 15°C | 19°C | 23°C | 24°C | 20°C | 15°C | 9°C | 3°C |
Gwangju | -5°C | -3°C | 1°C | 7°C | 13°C | 18°C | 22°C | 22°C | 17°C | 9°C | 3°C | -3°C |
Average temperatures in Korea by city - When temperature is low
Seoul | Busan | Gwangju | |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | -6°C | 0°C | -5°C |
Feb | -3°C | 2°C | -3°C |
Mar | 3°C | 6°C | 1°C |
Apr | 9°C | 11°C | 7°C |
May | 14°C | 15°C | 13°C |
Jun | 19°C | 19°C | 18°C |
Jul | 22°C | 23°C | 22°C |
Aug | 23°C | 24°C | 22°C |
Sep | 19°C | 20°C | 17°C |
Oct | 11°C | 15°C | 9°C |
Nov | 4°C | 9°C | 3°C |
Dec | -3°C | 3°C | -3°C |
If you are planning a walking trip, we recommend to visit in spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the temperature is moderate between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. For those that wish to enjoy water-related activities or bathe in the excitement of a summer beach, summer (June to August) can also be a great choice. If experience a fascinating combination of quiet, romantic walks through snowy mountains, cold winds, and hot springs, winter (December to February) in Korea cannot be missed. The fact that a single tourist spot changes its appearance as seasons change is the beauty of a trip to Korea.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is a season of flowers and boasts optimal weather to enjoy the flowers. From forsythia and cherry blossoms to azalea and roses, you can enjoy beautiful scenes filled with flowers on every road and street.
Summer (June to August)
Summer in Korea is under sweltering heat but, since it is a peninsula surrounded by the sea on three sides, over 270 beaches are open to display colorful and diverse summer scenes. However, this also partially coincides with the rainy season so, if you plan to visit Korea from the end of June to the end of July, it is wise to check the weather trends in advance. Keep in mind, the period between July and October also sees several typhoons.
Fall (September to November)
Fall in Korea is a beautiful season even without any special events. The average temperature hovers around 15 degrees Celsius makes it pleasant to walk around and, with the addition of various local, unique festivals, you can take advantage of great views, delicious foods, and exciting plays all in one spot.
Winter (December to February)
In winter, the average temperature drops to 0 to 1 degree Celsius and frequently plummets to sub-zero so you need to wear thick outerwear at all times. On the other hand, this is also the perfect season to enjoy hot springs, ondol culture, and warm soup dishes. It is also exciting to enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding with the beautiful snowscape in the background.
Q) Are there things to be careful of in terms of weather?
The seasons you have to be especially careful of are summer and winter. During the midsummer period (end of July to August), hot and humid weather continues and, from time to time, a powerful typhoon or heavy rain is expected so you need to schedule your trip while constantly checking the weather. In winter, the northerly wind from Siberia causes intense cold temperatures so it is recommend to pack cloths in preparation for the cold waves. Even in the warm spring, chilly weather often continues until mid-March, which is why it is recommended to prepare appropriate outerwear.
Although there is no strict dress etiquette, you often need to take off your shoes when you step inside a building or get invited to a home. If you want to make cool memories in Korea, wearing hanbok is a great idea. There are many places near royal palaces and major tourist attractions that offer hanbok rental and, even, hairstyling and makeup that go well with hanbok. In addition, royal palaces such as Gyeongbokgung and Deoksugung palaces offer free admission for visitors in hanbok.
For real-time weather
Korea Meteorological Administration guide map(English, Chinese, Japanese)
For averages in weather in Korea throughout the year and weather information by city
Weather Spark website (English, Chinese, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Russian)