Seoul experiences a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and dry, summers are hot, humid, and rainy, while spring and autumn are mild and brief but especially beautiful. The city sees dramatic changes in temperature, rainfall, and daylight, making each season a unique experience for travellers and locals alike.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Seoul’s climate is defined by its inland location and East Asian monsoon influences, resulting in four sharply contrasting seasons. Winters (December–February) are cold, dry, and generally clear, with average highs around 1–4°C and lows often dropping below –5°C. Bitter cold snaps can push temperatures to –15°C, and snowfall is possible, though accumulations are usually light. Winds from Siberia can make the cold feel even sharper, and humidity is low, making for crisp, clear days. Sunshine is decent in winter, averaging 5–6 hours per day.
Spring (March–May) is mild and pleasant, with temperatures rising from 5–7°C in March to 19–23°C by May. Cherry blossoms and other flowers fill the city with colour, but the season is short and can be windy. Occasional yellow dust from Mongolia and China can affect air quality and visibility. Rainfall increases gradually, and days lengthen, offering up to 7 hours of sunshine in April and May. Summer (June–August) is hot, humid, and wet, with average highs of 27–30°C and frequent peaks above 33°C. The monsoon season, or jangma, brings heavy rains – over 800 mm can fall from June to August, with July the wettest and least sunny month. Typhoons may occasionally bring torrential downpours and gusty winds. Despite the rain, lush greenery and vibrant festivals fill the city. Autumn (September–November) is considered the most beautiful season, with clear blue skies, comfortable temperatures (12–26°C), and spectacular foliage. Rainfall drops off quickly after September, and humidity is low, making this the ideal time for outdoor activities and sightseeing. By November, temperatures cool rapidly, and the first frosts arrive.
Seoul receives about 1,300–1,420 mm of precipitation annually, with more than 60% falling in summer. The city enjoys around 2,100–2,200 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally moderate, but can be brisk during storms or winter cold spells. Air pollution and yellow dust can affect springtime air quality. Each season brings its own festivals and outdoor experiences, from cherry blossom viewing in spring to hiking and lantern festivals in autumn.
| Average climate data for Seoul, South Korea | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 20 | 12 | 4 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -6 | -3 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 22 | 22 | 17 | 10 | 3 | -3 | -6 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 21 | 25 | 48 | 64 | 105 | 135 | 398 | 359 | 171 | 52 | 53 | 22 | 1,451 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 16 | 14 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 7 | 109 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 60 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 62 | 69 | 79 | 76 | 68 | 65 | 62 | 61 | 64 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
The best times to visit Seoul are in spring (April–May) and autumn (late September–early November), when temperatures are mild, rainfall is low, and the city is alive with cherry blossoms or vibrant autumn foliage. These seasons offer ideal conditions for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and cultural festivals, with clear skies and comfortable weather.
The least favourable time to visit is during the summer monsoon (late June to August), when high heat, humidity, and frequent heavy rain can disrupt outdoor plans. Winter (December–February) can also be challenging for some due to biting cold, dry winds, and occasional snow, though it is less crowded and offers unique seasonal charm.
Seoul has a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons: cold, dry winters; hot, humid, rainy summers; and brief, mild spring and autumn. Annual temperature averages about 13°C, with over 1,300 mm of rain.
Summer temperatures in Seoul often reach 27–30°C, with peaks above 33°C during heatwaves. Humidity is high, and the monsoon brings heavy rain, especially in July and August.
Yes, Seoul receives occasional snowfall in winter, mainly from December to February. Snow is usually light and melts quickly, but cold snaps can bring heavier falls and icy conditions.
The rainiest season is summer, from late June to August, when the East Asian monsoon (jangma) brings over 800 mm of rain in just a few months. July is typically the wettest month.
Yellow dust is a seasonal haze of fine sand and pollutants blown from Mongolia and China, affecting Seoul mainly in spring. It can cause poor air quality and irritation, so masks are recommended during dust events.
Pack thermal layers, gloves, and a heavy coat for winter; light, breathable clothes and an umbrella for summer; and layers for spring and autumn. Sun protection and a mask are useful in spring during yellow dust events.
Seoul is humid in summer, with high rainfall and sticky weather. Winters are dry and often windy due to Siberian high-pressure systems, making cold days feel even colder.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (29.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (1.6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (22.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-5.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (397.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (20.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,451.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (16.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (5.7 days). Over the whole year there are 109.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (79.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (55.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 64.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 6.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 3.1 h). Over the whole year there are 5.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 10). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.8.
