North Korea Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in North Korea in January.

Considering a trip to North Korea this January and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in North Korea in January

North Korea offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In January, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is very cold in Hyesan at -8°C (18°F) and cold in Haeju at 2°C (36°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to -6°C (21°F) in Haeju and -23°C (-9°F) in Hyesan. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To explore the conditions in North Korea in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snow/rainfall in Pyong Yang with an average of 15 mm (0.6 in) to moderate snow/rainfall in Wonsan with 36 mm (1.4 in). Looking at the climate data spanning the last 30 years, this month usually has the lowest rainfall in Haeju, marking it as the year's driest month.

Average sunshine

Most areas see decent amounts of sunshine this month. Haeju gets around 188 hours of sunlight, providing a pleasant balance of sun and clouds. If you'd prefer more guaranteed sunshine, our weather planner can show you sunnier spots around the world.

Explore North Korea by month

Best Places to Visit in North Korea in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across North Korea.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in North Korea

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in North Korea?

Temperature range in North Korea (January)

Precipitation variation in North Korea (January)

Haeju

In January Haeju generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -6°C (21°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
2°C (36°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-6°C (21°F)
-4°C (25°F)
Monthly sun hours
171 hours
188 hours
185 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
24 mm (0.9 in)
18 mm (0.7 in)
25 mm (1 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Hyesan

In January Hyesan generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -8°C (18°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -23°C (-9°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-4°C (25°F)
Min temperature
-20°C (-4°F)
-23°C (-9°F)
-20°C (-4°F)
Monthly snowfall
25 mm (1 in)
18 mm (0.7 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
9 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Pyong Yang

In January Pyong Yang generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C (16°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-9°C (16°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Monthly sun hours
181 hours
201 hours
207 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
27 mm (1.1 in)
15 mm (0.6 in)
25 mm (1 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
5 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Wonsan

In January Wonsan generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C (18°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
1°C (34°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Monthly sun hours
191 hours
205 hours
204 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
43 mm (1.7 in)
36 mm (1.4 in)
40 mm (1.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
7 days
6 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in North Korea.

In our records: North Korea January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in North Korea in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest January night in North Korea dropped to -36°C (-33°F) in Hyesan on January 2, 1977.
  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in North Korea was -24°C (-11°F) in Hyesan on January 24, 2023.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in North Korea in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Pyong Yang 1°C (34°F) -9°C (16°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Wonsan 1°C (34°F) -8°C (18°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Hyesan -8°C (18°F) -23°C (-9°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Haeju 2°C (36°F) -6°C (21°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)

North Korea weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in North Korea in January?

In January, North Korea generally has poor weather conditions. Haeju sees daytime temperatures near 2°C (36°F), with nights cooling to roughly -6°C (21°F).

What is the average temperature in North Korea in January?

Average temperatures in North Korea during January range from a nighttime low near -6°C (21°F) to a daytime high around 2°C (36°F) in Haeju.

Does North Korea get a lot of snow/rain in January?

January is on the drier side in North Korea. Haeju averages only about 18 mm (0.7 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit North Korea?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to North Korea with often poor weather in Haeju.

On average, the best time to visit North Korea is in May and October with generally perfect weather in Haeju. In contrast, January, February and July tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in North Korea.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to North Korea? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in North Korea.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.