Mud festival in South Korea
In July, the peaceful seaside town of Boryeong turned into a chaos of mud for 9 days. We recommend putting this festival on your bucket list.
Seoul Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit
Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best time to visit Seoul.
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Climate overview of Seoul
Seoul has relatively cool and sometimes quite mild winters. However not every winter is the same in Seoul. Some winters there will be no days below the freezing point and other years you can experience severe frost. That same unpredictability is reflected throughout almost the entire year. In the summer months, temperatures are mainly tempered by clouds and precipitation.
From May to September you will see the most rain, with rainfall amounts rising in July and August to 300 mm (12 in) and sometimes more than 400 mm (16 in) per month. In this period there is also the possibility that Seoul gets hit by a hurricane. The hurricane season runs from June to December in this region.
Seoul Weather by Month
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Seoul - and find the best time to visit.
Monthly Temperature in Seoul
Depending on the time of the year, temperatures range from very warm to chilly in Seoul. Average maximum daytime temperatures range from a very warm 31°C (88°F) in August, the warmest time of the year, to a chilly 3°C (37°F) during cooler months like January.
At night, you can expect temperatures ranging from 22°C (72°F) in August to around -7°C (19°F) during January.
Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.
Temperature ranges by month
Rainfall in Seoul
Seoul has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1236 mm (49 in) of rain/snowfall annually. Significant seasonal changes in precipitation occur throughout the year. In the wettest month, July it receives heavy rainfall, averaging 316 mm (12 in) of precipitation, recorded across 16 rainy days. In contrast, the driest month January brings less snow/rainfall, with 21 mm (0.8 in) over 7 snowy/rainy days. For more details, please visit our Seoul Precipitation page.
The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow
The average number of days each month with precipitation
Sunshine Hours in Seoul
Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite dramatic in Seoul. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 7.5 hours, July marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 4.1 hours of sunlight per day.
Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.
Monthly hours of sunshine
Daily hours of sunshine
Daily percentage of sunshine
Humidity in Seoul by Month
The relative humidity is high throughout the year in Seoul.
The city experiences its highest humidity in July, reaching 77%. In February, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 54%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.
Relative humidity over the year
Wind Speed in Seoul
The mean wind speed varies between 2 m/s (4 knots) and 3 m/s (6 knots) throughout the year. It is lowest in January, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December and highest during April. What does this mean?
The mean monthly wind speed over the year (meters per second)
Best Time to Visit Seoul
Conditions in Seoul are generally most comfortable in May and October. They are typically least comfortable in January, July and August.
Monthly ratings reflect general weather comfort, based on daytime temperature and rainfall. Swimming and winter conditions are highlighted separately where relevant.
Jan
cold
Feb
mixed
Mar
mixed
Apr
very good
May
excellent
Jun
very good
Jul
very wet
Aug
very wet
Sep
very good
Oct
excellent
Nov
mixed
Dec
mixed
- Best overall: May and October
- Warmest weather: July and August
- Most sunshine: May
- Wettest months: June, July, August and September, when rainfall is highest.
- Seasonal pattern: A distinct dry season from December to March, with very warm summers and cold winters
- Coldest conditions: January, with freezing nights around -7°C (19°F).
Frequently asked questions about the climate in Seoul
What is the best time to visit Seoul?
May and October typically offer the most optimal weather in Seoul. In contrast, January, July and August tend to have less optimal conditions. Seoul has a distinct dry season from December to March, with very warm summers and cold winters.
What temperatures can I expect in Seoul?
Daytime highs range from 3°C (37°F) in January to 31°C (88°F) in August. Nighttime lows range from -7°C (19°F) to 22°C (72°F). Temperatures vary considerably through the year.
How much rain does Seoul get?
Annual rainfall is around 1236 mm (49 in). July is the wettest month with 316 mm (12 in), while January is the driest with 21 mm (0.8 in).
How sunny is Seoul?
Seoul receives around 2,148 hours of sunshine per year. May is the sunniest month with 225 hours, while July is the cloudiest with just 124 hours. Overall, Seoul enjoys abundant sunshine.
Seoul 3-Day Forecast
Seoul on the map
Seoul is highlighted - select any city to see its climate.
Popular in September
Where to go in September - average daytime high across popular destinations.
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Mud festival in South Korea
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