Seoul weather by month: what to expect and what to pack

Seoul has four very different seasons, so what you pack depends a lot on when you travel. For today’s conditions and the next few days, see our live Seoul weather page.

At a glance

Month	What it feels like	Pack	Worth knowing
January	Coldest month. Often below freezing, dry, strong wind	Padded coat, hat, gloves, thermal layers	Clear, crisp skies. Indoor sights and markets are cozy.
February	Still very cold, slowly milder by the end	Padded coat, layers	Lunar New Year often falls in late January or February, and some shops close.
March	Cool, changeable, chilly evenings	Light coat, layers	Fine dust and yellow dust can start. Check air quality.
April	Mild and pleasant	Light jacket, layers	Cherry blossoms, usually early April. Very busy weekends.
May	Warm days, cool nights	Light layers, sunglasses	One of the best months. Festivals and outdoor events.
June	Warm and getting humid	Breathable clothes, umbrella	The rainy season usually starts late in the month.
July	Hot, humid, heavy rain	Light clothes, umbrella, quick-dry shoes	Peak rainy season (jangma). Plan indoor backups.
August	Hottest month, humid	Light clothes, sun protection, water	Heat warnings are common. Air conditioning everywhere indoors.
September	Warm, less humid	Light layers	Typhoons possible early in the month. Chuseok holiday may fall in September or October.
October	Cool, dry and clear	Light jacket	Autumn leaves start. Many people’s favorite month.
November	Cool to cold, leaves peak early in the month	Warm jacket, layers	Evenings get cold quickly. Shorter days.
December	Cold, dry, occasional snow	Padded coat, hat, gloves	Christmas lights and winter festivals. See Seoul in winter.

Seasonal hazards

• Fine dust and yellow dust (mostly spring, sometimes winter): check the air quality index and wear a KF94 mask on bad days. See fine dust in Seoul.
• Rainy season (late June to July): sudden heavy rain. Carry a compact umbrella. Convenience stores sell them.
• Heat waves (late July to August): drink water often, and plan outdoor sightseeing for mornings and evenings.
• Typhoons (August to September): follow the news and emergency alerts on your phone.
• Cold waves (December to February): wind chill makes it feel much colder than the thermometer shows.

Packing tips for any season

• Layers work better than one heavy item, because indoor places are well heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer.
• Comfortable walking shoes. You will walk a lot, including stairs in subway stations.
• A small bag for trash, because public bins are rare.
• An umbrella or rain jacket from June to September.

Data sources

Seasonal descriptions are based on long-term patterns. For exact forecasts, use the Korea Meteorological Administration or our weather page.

Prices, timetables and rules in Korea change often. We check this guide regularly, but please confirm details with the official sources linked above before you travel.