Weather locations in South Korea

South Korea sits in the temperate north of East Asia, between about 34°N and 38°N, opening on the Yellow Sea to the west and the Sea of Japan to the east. Its climate follows the East Asian monsoon: a cool, dry winter under cold continental air, a hot and humid summer under air drawn up from the Pacific, and a long transition in which most of the year's rain falls. Warm ocean currents and the complexities of the mountain ranges, especially the Taebaek range along the east coast, add to the regional differences.

Main climate types

Most of the country belongs to the humid subtropical and temperate groups of the Köppen classification, with the southern coast and Jeju island carrying a subtropical, nearly evergreen regime. The inland basin around Daegu, in the rain shadow of the eastern ranges, is the warmest and driest, while the mountainous east coast, including the Taebaek and the Hamgyong spurs, is cooler, wetter and cool in summer.

Temperatures

Seoul averages about 0 °C to minus 1 °C in January and about 25 °C to 26 °C in July, which makes the seasonal swing one of the largest in the temperate world. Southern cities such as Busan and Jeju are milder, with January means of 4 °C to 6 °C, and the northern inland district around Daejeon and Cheongju runs a little colder in winter. Mountain sites sit several degrees below the lowlands, and inland winter nights regularly fall below minus 8 °C.

Rainfall

Annual rainfall is roughly 1,100 mm to 1,300 mm, well spread but with a distinct maximum in June and July, when long, heavy rainy spells, called the plum rains, drown much of the country. Typhoons that cross from the Pacific between July and September add further rain, sometimes causing serious flooding. Snow settles on the northern and mountainous areas from December to February, while the south coast sees only light snow.

When to go

Late March to early June and late September to October are the pleasantest times, with mild days, low humidity and the flowering of the cherry and maples. Winter, with its clear cold spells and mountain snow, suits skiing in the northern and eastern highlands.