Best Time to Visit Korea: Month by Month Weather

When is the best time to visit Korea?

Spring and autumn give you the most comfortable weather for walking around cities and hiking. Korea has four distinct seasons, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), and the gap between them is large.

Summer brings most of the year’s rain and the highest heat. Winter is cold and dry. If you can choose, aim for April, May, September or October, then check the forecast for your dates before you fly.

The numbers below are KMA climate normals, which are 30 year averages for 1991 to 2020. They describe a typical year, not the weather on any given day.

How warm or cold is Korea by season?

Seoul’s average yearly temperature is 12.8°C, per KMA. Across the country the yearly average runs from about 7°C in Daegwallyeong (in the mountains of Gangwon) to about 15°C in Busan.

Season	Months	What to expect
Spring	March to May	Flowers, mild days, cool mornings until mid-March
Summer	June to August	Rainy season from late June, hot and humid peak
Autumn	September to November	Average near 15°C, comfortable, many festivals
Winter	December to February	Average 0 to 1°C, often below freezing

The season months and the autumn and winter averages come from the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). In Seoul, January is the coldest month at -1.9°C and August the hottest at 26.1°C, a yearly swing of 28.0°C.

What is the weather like month by month?

KMA’s climate summary gives monthly detail for January, July and August, so the sections below group the other months by season.

January and February

January is the coldest month across Korea, per KMA. Seoul averages -1.9°C in January and gets only 16.8 mm of precipitation, the lowest of the year. KMA notes that northwesterly winds dominate in winter.

Winter in Seoul is the driest season: December to February together bring 67.6 mm, about 5% of the yearly total. Pack a heavy coat, gloves and a hat. KTO suggests winter for hot springs, skiing and snowboarding.

March to May

KTO warns that chilly weather often lasts until mid-March, so bring a jacket even for an early spring trip. From there the season warms up and the flowers come in turn, from forsythia and cherry blossoms to azaleas and roses.

April and May are the easiest spring months for sightseeing. Bloom dates shift each year, so check a current forecast if flowers are the reason for your trip.

June

June starts warm and gets wetter. The rainy season, called jangma, reaches Jeju around 19 June on average, the southern regions around 23 June and central Korea, including Seoul, around 25 June, per KMA normals.

July

July is the wettest month in Seoul, with a normal of 414.4 mm. The rainy season lasts about 31 days in the central and southern regions and 32.4 days on Jeju. KTO suggests checking the forecast in advance if you visit between the end of June and the end of July.

Heavy rain can delay outdoor plans, so build a few indoor options (museums, markets, shopping streets) into each day.

August

August is the hottest month in Korea, per KMA, with Seoul averaging 26.1°C. KTO describes the stretch from the end of July through August as very hot and humid. Plan outdoor sights for the early morning or evening and drink water often.

Summer as a whole (June to August) brings 892.1 mm of rain to Seoul, about 63% of the yearly total.

September to November

Autumn is the other strong window. KTO puts the average autumn temperature at around 15°C, and the season has many festivals and comfortable days outdoors. Typhoons are still possible in September and October (see below).

December

December opens the winter season. KTO puts the winter average at 0 to 1°C, with cold northerly winds often pushing temperatures below zero. Bring thick outerwear.

When do typhoons hit Korea?

KTO says several typhoons arrive between June and October. KMA counts about 25.1 typhoons forming in the North Pacific each year, of which 3.4 affect Korea directly or indirectly.

If you travel in these months, watch the forecast in the days before you fly, and if a typhoon approaches, follow official alerts and keep the emergency numbers on your phone.

Do public holidays change the best time to go?

Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (the autumn harvest holiday) are the two biggest holidays. Both follow the lunar calendar, so their dates move each year. KTO says offices and banks close on public holidays, while palaces, museums, department stores and amusement facilities stay open.

During Seollal and Chuseok, some businesses close for several days in a row and many families travel to their hometowns. Trains fill up early, so book KTX seats as soon as you know your dates.

Common mistakes

• Packing for the average. A 15°C autumn average hides cool mornings and warm afternoons. Bring layers.
• Planning only outdoor days in July. July has the most rain in Seoul. Keep backup plans indoors.
• Expecting spring warmth in early March. KTO notes chilly days often continue until mid-March.
• Ignoring the lunar holidays. Check the Seollal and Chuseok dates for your year before booking.

When this does not apply

These figures are long term averages. A single year can be hotter, colder, wetter or drier than the 1991 to 2020 normal. Seoul figures also differ from Busan, Jeju and mountain areas. Check the KMA forecast for the exact place and week of your trip before you fly.