South Korea

South Korea Weather in May

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

Planning a journey to South Korea this May and curious over the weather conditions to await? Your essential details are found on this page, answering your query:

What to Expect in South Korea in May

May in South Korea generally has temperatures that range from pleasant to warm, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from pleasant in Anmyeon at 19°C (66°F) to warm in Daegu at 26°C (79°F). At night it cools down to 13°C (55°F) in Daegu and 13°C (55°F) in Anmyeon.

For specific regional insights in South Korea, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In May, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Donghae with an average of 77 mm (3 in) to high rainfall in Yeosu with 144 mm (5.7 in).

Average sunshine

Plenty of sunshine can be expected in numerous places in May. Seoul typically receives 225 hours of sunlight, making it ideal for those seeking sunny weather.

Explore South Korea by month

Best Places to Visit in South Korea in May

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 May for some of the most popular destinations in South Korea?

Temperature range in South Korea (May)

Precipitation variation in South Korea (May)

Seoul

In May Seoul generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 24°C (75°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 12°C (54°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
24°C (75°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
6°C (43°F)
12°C (54°F)
18°C (64°F)
Monthly sun hours
208 hours
225 hours
188 hours
Monthly rainfall
74 mm (2.9 in)
99 mm (3.9 in)
141 mm (5.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
8 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Busan

In May Busan generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
22°C (72°F)
24°C (75°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
15°C (59°F)
18°C (64°F)
Monthly sun hours
210 hours
227 hours
179 hours
Monthly rainfall
123 mm (4.8 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
178 mm (7 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
9 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Jeju

In May Jeju generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 20°C (68°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
20°C (68°F)
23°C (73°F)
Min temperature
11°C (52°F)
15°C (59°F)
19°C (66°F)
Monthly sun hours
196 hours
211 hours
170 hours
Monthly rainfall
109 mm (4.3 in)
111 mm (4.4 in)
203 mm (8 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Seogwipo

In May Seogwipo generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are pleasant that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
18°C (64°F)
22°C (72°F)
25°C (77°F)
Min temperature
10°C (50°F)
15°C (59°F)
19°C (66°F)
Monthly sun hours
190 hours
198 hours
145 hours
Monthly rainfall
127 mm (5 in)
134 mm (5.3 in)
243 mm (9.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
12 days
11 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Incheon

In May Incheon generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 13°C (55°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

May
April
May
June
Max temperature
16°C (61°F)
21°C (70°F)
25°C (77°F)
Min temperature
7°C (45°F)
13°C (55°F)
18°C (64°F)
Monthly sun hours
222 hours
242 hours
215 hours
Monthly rainfall
73 mm (2.9 in)
98 mm (3.9 in)
139 mm (5.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
8 days
9 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in May

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Seoul 24°C (75°F) 12°C (54°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Busan 22°C (72°F) 15°C (59°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Jeju 20°C (68°F) 15°C (59°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Seogwipo 22°C (72°F) 15°C (59°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Incheon 21°C (70°F) 13°C (55°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sokcho 20°C (68°F) 12°C (54°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)

South Korea weather in May: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in South Korea in May?

May in South Korea brings perfect weather. In Seoul, daytime temperatures are typically around 24°C (75°F) and nighttime lows hover near 12°C (54°F).

What is the average temperature in South Korea in May?

Daytime temperatures in Seoul peak at roughly 24°C (75°F) in May, dropping to about 12°C (54°F) overnight.

Does South Korea get a lot of rain in May?

Not particularly. Seoul averages just 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain in May, making it a mostly dry month for South Korea.

Is May a Good Time to Visit South Korea?

We consider May to be one of the best times to travel to South Korea. Typically, the climate in Seoul is perfect. It's worth noting that weather conditions might differ depending on the location you visit.

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

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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