Sokcho

South Korea Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in South Korea in December.

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

What to Expect in South Korea in December

December in South Korea generally has cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are cold and range from 4°C (39°F) in Pyeongchang to 12°C (54°F) in Seogwipo. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 6°C (43°F) in Seogwipo and -7°C (19°F) in Pyeongchang .

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

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snow/rainfall in Andong with an average of 22 mm (0.9 in) to moderate snow/rainfall in Jeju with 75 mm (3 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is moderately available across various locations. In Seoul, you can expect around 163 hours of sunlight in December, which gives a pleasant combination of sun and shade. For those who want maximum sunshine, our weather planner can point you toward the sunniest places on Earth.

Explore South Korea by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in South Korea — and find the best time to visit. (based on Seoul)

Best Places to Visit in South Korea in December

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

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in South Korea?

Temperature range in South Korea (December)

Precipitation variation in South Korea (December)

Seoul

In December Seoul generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C (41°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
155 hours
163 hours
171 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
49 mm (1.9 in)
25 mm (1 in)
21 mm (0.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
7 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Busan

In December Busan generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 11°C (52°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 3°C (37°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
11°C (52°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
9°C (48°F)
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
194 hours
204 hours
204 hours
Monthly rainfall
52 mm (2 in)
32 mm (1.3 in)
37 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
6 days
5 days
6 days
Weather conditions

Jeju

In December Jeju generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 7°C (45°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
12°C (54°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
12°C (54°F)
7°C (45°F)
5°C (41°F)
Monthly sun hours
126 hours
83 hours
69 hours
Monthly rainfall
74 mm (2.9 in)
75 mm (3 in)
81 mm (3.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Seogwipo

In December Seogwipo generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 12°C (54°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 6°C (43°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
17°C (63°F)
12°C (54°F)
9°C (48°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
6°C (43°F)
4°C (39°F)
Monthly sun hours
170 hours
162 hours
152 hours
Monthly rainfall
68 mm (2.7 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
64 mm (2.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
11 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Incheon

In December Incheon generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 6°C (43°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -3°C (27°F) and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are unpleasant that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
13°C (55°F)
6°C (43°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
5°C (41°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
172 hours
178 hours
188 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
53 mm (2.1 in)
27 mm (1.1 in)
22 mm (0.9 in)
Monthly rainy days
9 days
8 days
7 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in South Korea in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Seoul 5°C (41°F) -5°C (23°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Busan 11°C (52°F) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Jeju 12°C (54°F) 7°C (45°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Seogwipo 12°C (54°F) 6°C (43°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Incheon 6°C (43°F) -3°C (27°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Sokcho 6°C (43°F) -2°C (28°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)

South Korea weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in South Korea in December?

December in South Korea brings unpleasant weather. In Seoul, daytime temperatures are typically around 5°C (41°F) and nighttime lows hover near -5°C (23°F).

What is the average temperature in South Korea in December?

Seoul averages a daytime maximum of 5°C (41°F) in December, with overnight lows close to -5°C (23°F).

Does South Korea get a lot of snow/rain in December?

Not particularly. Seoul averages just 25 mm (1 in) of snow/rain in December, making it a mostly dry month for South Korea.

Is December a Good Time to Visit South Korea?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to South Korea with often poor weather in Seoul.

On average, the best time to visit South Korea is in May and October with generally perfect weather in Seoul. The weather in January, July and August, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

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

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

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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.