Korea has four sharp seasons. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, July is the rainy peak, and January is properly cold. Here is what each month looks like in Seoul, with the main festivals to plan around.
Seoul weather month by month
| Month | Avg temp | Rain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -2.0°C | 16.8 mm | Coldest month, dry, often below freezing |
| Feb | 0.6°C | 28.2 mm | Still cold, Lunar New Year often falls here |
| Mar | 6.3°C | 36.9 mm | Cool, first spring days, occasional fine dust |
| Apr | 12.6°C | 72.9 mm | Cherry blossoms in early April, mild |
| May | 18.2°C | 103.6 mm | Warm and sunny, one of the best months |
| Jun | 22.5°C | 129.5 mm | Getting humid, rainy season starts late in the month |
| Jul | 25.3°C | 414.4 mm | Monsoon peak, hot and humid |
| Aug | 26.1°C | 348.2 mm | Hot, humid, heavy showers possible |
| Sep | 21.6°C | 141.5 mm | Clear skies return, very pleasant |
| Oct | 14.8°C | 52.2 mm | Crisp and dry, autumn leaves begin |
| Nov | 7.2°C | 51.1 mm | Cool, peak foliage early in the month |
| Dec | -0.1°C | 22.6 mm | Cold, winter lights and markets |
Best months to visit
April–May and late September–early November are the easiest times: mild temperatures, low rain and long walking days. Prices rise around cherry blossom season and Korean public holidays, so book rooms early for those dates.
Festivals and seasons to plan around
- Cherry blossoms (late March–mid April): the Jinhae Gunhangje festival in the south usually blooms first, then Seoul around early April.
- Boryeong Mud Festival (July): a summer beach festival on the west coast.
- Autumn foliage (October–November): mountains turn first, then Seoul's palaces and parks around late October to early November.
- Seoul Lantern Festival (November): lanterns along Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul.
- Lunar New Year (Seollal) and Chuseok: the dates follow the lunar calendar and change each year. Many shops close and trains sell out, so check the dates before you book.
