South Korea, located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, shares a border with North Korea to the north and is surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west, the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to the east, and the Korea Strait to the south. Its geographical features include mountains, coastal plains, rivers, and islands like Jeju to the south. South Korea is a highly mountainous country, with approximately 70% of the land covered by rugged terrain. Major cities such as Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Daegu lie in the flatter, more urbanized lowlands.
South Korea has a temperate climate influenced by the East Asian monsoon, with distinct four seasons:
- Winter (December to February): Cold and dry, with snowfall mainly in the north.
- Spring (March to May): Mild and pleasant, with blooming cherry blossoms.
- Summer (June to August): Hot, humid, and rainy due to the monsoon season.
- Autumn (September to November): Cool and dry, with beautiful fall foliage.
South Korea’s weather varies slightly depending on the region, with the southern coastal areas being milder than the northern inland regions. Below is a detailed breakdown of the weather throughout the year.
January
Weather Overview
January is mid-winter in South Korea, with cold and dry weather prevailing across the country. The northern regions experience sub-zero temperatures, while southern coastal areas remain relatively milder.
Northern and Central Korea (Seoul, Incheon)
- Temperature: -6°C to 3°C (21°F to 37°F)
- Rainfall: 20-30 mm
- Weather: Cold with occasional snowfall. Seoul and Incheon experience freezing temperatures, particularly at night, with dry, clear days. Snowfall is common, especially in the northern mountains.
Southern Korea (Busan, Jeju Island)
- Temperature: 1°C to 9°C (34°F to 48°F)
- Rainfall: 30-50 mm
- Weather: Milder than the north, though still cold. Busan and Jeju see occasional rain instead of snow, with temperatures staying above freezing most of the time.
February
Weather Overview
February remains part of the cold winter season in South Korea, but temperatures start to rise slightly toward the end of the month. Snow is still possible in the northern regions, but southern areas experience milder weather.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: -4°C to 5°C (25°F to 41°F)
- Rainfall: 20-30 mm
- Weather: Cold with the possibility of snow. Seoul remains chilly, though the days are slightly longer and warmer than in January. Clear, dry weather is common.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F)
- Rainfall: 30-60 mm
- Weather: Milder temperatures, with occasional rain and fog. Busan and Jeju experience fewer cold spells and more frequent rain compared to the north.
March
Weather Overview
March marks the beginning of spring in South Korea, with rising temperatures and the first signs of cherry blossoms. While the north can still be cold early in the month, the weather becomes milder and more pleasant toward the end.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 1°C to 11°C (34°F to 52°F)
- Rainfall: 30-50 mm
- Weather: Cool but increasingly warmer, with occasional rain showers. Seoul experiences the transition from winter to spring, though cold mornings are still common.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 5°C to 14°C (41°F to 57°F)
- Rainfall: 40-70 mm
- Weather: Mild and wet. Busan and Jeju Island experience warmer days, with rain showers and early signs of spring blooming. The weather is generally pleasant for outdoor activities.
April
Weather Overview
April is full spring in South Korea, with mild temperatures and blooming cherry blossoms across the country. The weather is pleasant, making it one of the best months to visit.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 7°C to 18°C (45°F to 64°F)
- Rainfall: 50-80 mm
- Weather: Mild and sunny, with occasional rain showers. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in cities like Seoul, and the days are increasingly warm and pleasant.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 9°C to 19°C (48°F to 66°F)
- Rainfall: 60-100 mm
- Weather: Warm and wet, with frequent spring showers. Busan and Jeju enjoy pleasant temperatures, and cherry blossoms bloom slightly earlier than in the north.
May
Weather Overview
May is one of the most pleasant months in South Korea, with warm temperatures, sunny skies, and minimal rain. The weather is ideal for outdoor activities and travel across the country.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 12°C to 23°C (54°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 60-90 mm
- Weather: Warm and sunny, with occasional rain. Seoul experiences comfortable spring temperatures, perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 13°C to 23°C (55°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 80-120 mm
- Weather: Warm and sunny, though with more frequent rain showers than the north. Busan and Jeju Island experience perfect beach weather as the temperatures rise and the sea warms up.
June
Weather Overview
June marks the start of the summer in South Korea, with rising temperatures and increased humidity. The monsoon season begins toward the end of the month, especially in the southern and coastal areas.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 17°C to 27°C (63°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 80-120 mm
- Weather: Warm and increasingly humid, with occasional rain. The monsoon season has not fully arrived, but Seoul and other northern regions may experience early rain showers.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 18°C to 26°C (64°F to 79°F)
- Rainfall: 100-150 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid, with more frequent rain, particularly toward the end of the month. Busan and Jeju Island begin to feel the effects of the monsoon season, with occasional downpours.
July
Weather Overview
July is the height of the monsoon season in South Korea, with heavy rains, high humidity, and hot temperatures. Flooding can occur in some areas, and outdoor activities are limited by the frequent downpours.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 21°C to 30°C (70°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Weather: Hot, humid, and rainy. Seoul and Incheon experience frequent monsoon rains, which can be heavy and cause flooding. Humidity is high, making the heat feel more intense.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 22°C to 29°C (72°F to 84°F)
- Rainfall: 350-450 mm
- Weather: Hot and very wet, with frequent monsoon rains. Busan and Jeju Island experience heavy downpours, high humidity, and occasional thunderstorms. This is one of the wettest months of the year in the south.
August
Weather Overview
August remains part of the monsoon season, with high temperatures, humidity, and heavy rainfall, especially in the early part of the month. Toward the end of August, the monsoon rains start to taper off.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 22°C to 31°C (72°F to 88°F)
- Rainfall: 250-350 mm
- Weather: Hot and humid, with occasional heavy rain. Seoul experiences high temperatures and frequent showers, though the rains begin to decrease toward the end of the month.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 23°C to 30°C (73°F to 86°F)
- Rainfall: 300-400 mm
- Weather: Hot and very humid, with frequent monsoon rains. Busan and Jeju see intense rain early in the month, but the weather begins to dry out as August progresses.
September
Weather Overview
September marks the transition from summer to autumn, with cooler temperatures and decreasing rainfall. While the early part of the month can still be humid, the end of September brings more pleasant, dry conditions.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 17°C to 26°C (63°F to 79°F)
- Rainfall: 120-180 mm
- Weather: Warm and humid, with rain early in the month. As September progresses, Seoul becomes drier and cooler, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 19°C to 27°C (66°F to 81°F)
- Rainfall: 150-250 mm
- Weather: Warm with decreasing rain. Busan and Jeju Island remain humid in the early part of September, but the weather becomes milder and more comfortable toward the end.
October
Weather Overview
October is one of the best months to visit South Korea, with cool, dry weather and beautiful autumn foliage. The temperatures are comfortable, and the skies are generally clear.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 11°C to 20°C (52°F to 68°F)
- Rainfall: 40-80 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry, with crisp autumn air. Seoul and Incheon experience sunny days and cooler nights, with vibrant fall colors appearing in parks and mountains.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 14°C to 23°C (57°F to 73°F)
- Rainfall: 60-100 mm
- Weather: Warm and sunny, with occasional rain showers. Busan and Jeju enjoy mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine, making it perfect for exploring the coastal regions.
November
Weather Overview
November is late autumn in South Korea, with cool temperatures and decreasing rainfall. The country experiences clear skies and the final display of autumn foliage before winter sets in.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: 4°C to 13°C (39°F to 55°F)
- Rainfall: 30-50 mm
- Weather: Cool and dry, with crisp, clear days. Seoul and Incheon experience colder mornings and evenings, though the weather remains pleasant for most of the month.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 7°C to 16°C (45°F to 61°F)
- Rainfall: 40-70 mm
- Weather: Mild and dry, with cooler nights. Busan and Jeju experience clear, sunny days with occasional showers, but the weather remains pleasant for travel.
December
Weather Overview
December marks the beginning of winter in South Korea, with cold temperatures, particularly in the north. Snow begins to fall in the mountains, and the days become shorter and colder.
Northern and Central Korea
- Temperature: -2°C to 5°C (28°F to 41°F)
- Rainfall: 20-40 mm
- Weather: Cold with occasional snow, particularly in the northern regions. Seoul and Incheon experience freezing temperatures, though the air remains dry for most of the month.
Southern Korea
- Temperature: 2°C to 10°C (36°F to 50°F)
- Rainfall: 30-60 mm
- Weather: Cold but milder than the north. Busan and Jeju experience cool days and chilly nights, with occasional rain showers but little snow.