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Best time to visit South Korea: month by month
Short answer
April to May (cherry blossom, mild at about 18–22°C) and September to November (clear skies and autumn leaves) are the best times. Summer is hot, humid and rainy, especially July (about 28–30°C), and winter is cold, with Seoul highs around 1–5°C and lows down to about −8°C.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1°C | -8°C | 5 | low |
| Feb | 5°C | -5°C | 2 | medium |
| Mar | 13°C | 1°C | 6 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 7°C | 7 | very high |
| May | 22°C | 12°C | 9 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 18°C | 14 | medium |
| Jul | 30°C | 23°C | 18 | medium |
| Aug | 28°C | 22°C | 18 | high |
| Sep | 26°C | 18°C | 11 | medium |
| Oct | 18°C | 9°C | 9 | very high |
| Nov | 11°C | 2°C | 7 | high |
| Dec | 3°C | -6°C | 5 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 13°C in March to 22°C in May; cherry blossom in early April. Spring dust can affect air quality on some days.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and humid at about 26–30°C, with the monsoon (jangma) bringing about 14–18 rainy days a month from late June to July.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September (about 26°C) and October (about 18°C) are excellent, with clear skies and autumn foliage peaking in late October to early November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and dry, with Seoul highs of about 1–5°C and lows of −5 to −8°C; ski resorts open and fewer visitors.
Events worth planning around
- Cherry blossom festivals, including Yeouido in Seoul and Jinhae (early April)
- Lotus Lantern Festival for Buddha's Birthday (April or May)
- Busan International Film Festival (October)
- Chuseok harvest festival (September or October, by the lunar calendar)
When to avoid
July's monsoon rain and humidity, and the Chuseok and Seollal holidays, when trains sell out and many shops close.
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Common questions
When is the best time to visit South Korea?
April to May and September to November, with mild weather and blossoms or autumn leaves.
When is cherry blossom season?
Usually early April in Seoul, a little earlier in the south.
How cold is Seoul in winter?
January highs are around 1°C and lows about −8°C.