gowhereandwhen.comGo in spring, April to June, for cherry blossom, or autumn, September to November, for crisp air and golden foliage. Summer is hot, humid and wet, and winter is cold and dry, with skiing.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Seoul. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Oct.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Rainy season.
The year at a glance
South Korea has four sharp seasons, and Seoul sets the ratings below. Spring and autumn are the two highlights, when the weather is mild and dry and the country is at its most colourful, with blossom in April and foliage in late October.
Summer is hot and humid with a rainy season, the jangma, in July, while winter is cold and dry, cold enough for ski resorts in the mountains. The shoulder seasons are short but spectacular, so they draw the crowds and the highest prices.
South Korea month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Seoul.
JanuaryFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- 2°C / 36°F
- Overnight low
- -6°C / 21°F
- Rainfall
- 20 mm
Freezing and dry.
FebruaryCold and dry.Avoid 24
- Daytime high
- 5°C / 41°F
- Overnight low
- -3°C / 27°F
- Rainfall
- 25 mm
Cold and dry.
MarchCool and dry.Good 57
- Daytime high
- 11°C / 52°F
- Overnight low
- 1°C / 34°F
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
Cool and dry.
AprilMild with a little rainIdeal 90
- Daytime high
- 18°C / 64°F
- Overnight low
- 7°C / 45°F
- Rainfall
- 65 mm
Mild with a little rain.
MayWarm with a little rainIdeal 76
- Daytime high
- 24°C / 75°F
- Overnight low
- 13°C / 55°F
- Rainfall
- 105 mm
Warm with a little rain.
JuneWarm and wet.Great 66
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 18°C / 64°F
- Rainfall
- 130 mm
Warm and wet.
JulyHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 23
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 395 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AugustHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Avoid 26
- Daytime high
- 30°C / 86°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 365 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
SeptemberWarm and wet.Good 56
- Daytime high
- 26°C / 79°F
- Overnight low
- 17°C / 63°F
- Rainfall
- 170 mm
Warm and wet.
OctoberMild and dryIdeal 98
- Daytime high
- 20°C / 68°F
- Overnight low
- 9°C / 48°F
- Rainfall
- 50 mm
Mild and dry.
NovemberCool and dry.Great 58
- Daytime high
- 11°C / 52°F
- Overnight low
- 2°C / 36°F
- Rainfall
- 50 mm
Cool and dry.
DecemberCold and dry.Avoid 18
- Daytime high
- 4°C / 39°F
- Overnight low
- -4°C / 25°F
- Rainfall
- 22 mm
Cold and dry.
Where you go changes when you go
Seoul and the centre
Mild and lovely in spring and autumn, hot and wet in summer, cold and bright in winter.
Gangwon and the mountains
Summer hiking and autumn colour, then a cold, snowy winter with skiing around Pyeongchang.
Jeju and the south
Milder and a little warmer year round, with spring blossom arriving first and gentle winters.
Best time to visit South Korea for
Cherry blossom
Late March to mid April, sweeping north from Jeju to Seoul, lighting up parks and palace grounds.
Autumn foliage
Late October to early November, when the mountains and city parks turn red and gold.
Skiing
December to February in the Gangwon mountains, on the slopes that hosted the Winter Olympics.
Hiking
May to June and September to October, the mild, dry shoulders, for the national parks.
What is on, and when
Cherry blossom, April
Festivals bloom across the country, from Jinhae in the south to Seoul's palaces.
Autumn colour, late October
Maples and ginkgoes set the mountains and temple grounds alight.
Watch out
Rainy season
Jun to Sep.
Hard cold
Dec to Feb.
Where to stay in South Korea
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit South Korea?
When is the rainy season in South Korea?
Is winter a good time to visit Korea?
Where else, and when
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