South Korea: When to go

Plan your trip to South Korea carefully by considering the typical climate during the period you wish to visit and the events and festivals that will be taking place.

South Korea's climate

South Korea’s location on the eastern edge of the Eurasian landmass results in a continental climate, with cold winters (rather milder along the south coast and in Jeju-do) and hot, humid summers. Seoul’s rather unpredictable weather is often compared to that of New York City.

From December to early March the weather is generally cold and sunny, with occasional snowfalls. Afternoon temperatures in Seoul are usually around freezing; Busan is a few degrees warmer. The cold is enhanced by the Siberian winds that whip down the peninsula, often in a cycle of three consecutive cold days followed by four milder days.

A spring thaw comes in mid-April and lasts for around two months. In the early spring northwesterly gusts bring swirls of dust from the Gobi Desert and some light rain. As summer approaches, humid southerlies vie for control and the spring drizzle can become an occasional downpour, culminating in three or four weeks of heavy rains during the late July and early August monsoon season.

July and August are the hottest, most humid months, and are particularly enervating in the inland basin around Daegu, where afternoon temperatures climb into the lower 30°s centigrade (around 90°F). Daytime temperatures in Seoul are more often around 28°C (82°F). Nights are warm and muggy.

Between mid-July and the end of September occasional typhoons move north from the East China Sea to bring torrential rain and strong winds to the Korean peninsula, although these are rarely damaging as they are further to the south (Jeju-do is more at risk).

Autumn arrives in early October when the air currents shift back to the crisp northerlies. The weather is normally dry and sunny.

The best months for visiting are mid-April to mid-June, and September to October just before and after the summer rains. Fall has the advantage of the wonderful displays of foliage in the Korean forests, while spring is famous for the cherry blossom.