Climate

Characteristics

Korea's climate is temperate with features of both continental and marine climates. Korea has four distinct seasons. Its summer is hot and humid, while winter is cold and dry.

Four seasons

• Summer
The hottest time of the year is from June to August. The average temperature in August is 25.4℃. Since the country is surrounded by sea on three sides, Koreans enjoy water sports in summer. July and August are the best months for swimming.


• Winter
December through February is generally the coldest period, with average temperatures ranging from -8℃ in the northern region to 0℃ in the southern coastal areas. Koreans enjoy winter sports and sightseeing during these months. The mountainous regions in the east see heavy snow precipitation, and many ski slopes and sled parks open in these parts of the country during winter. Ski season usually lasts from December through February.


• Spring and autumn
Spring is from April to May, and autumn from September to November. The weather in spring and autumn is generally mild, ideal for outdoor activities. Precipitation is heavier in spring than in autumn, but the weather is balmy and nature rejuvenates with green trees and blooming flowers. Korea's autumn is known for its clear skies and refreshing weather, making this season perfect for outdoor activities. Most sports competitions and regional festivals are scheduled in fall.

Precipitation

• Korea's average annual precipitation is 1260mm. More than 50% of the yearly precipitation is concentrated between June and early September.
• Jangma or the rainy season is marked by heavy downpours usually occurring between late June and mid-July.

Monthly average temperature (In Seoul/ past 30-year average/ Unit: ℃)

Monthly	Average temperature
1	-2.5
2	-0.3
3	5.2
4	12.1
5	17.4
6	21.9
7	24.9
8	25.4
9	20.8
10	14.4
11	6.9
12	0.2

Weather calamities

• Characteristics : Earthquakes and other ground disasters are rare. Most natural disasters in Korea are caused by bad weather, such as typhoons, torrential rain, heavy snow, warm winter, and freezing cold.
• Typhoons: Out of about 28 typhoons generated in the northern Pacific every year, two or three pass that through the Korean Peninsula can cause severe damage.
• Torrential rain: Torrential rain usually occurs during summer. Lately heavy downpours are occurring more frequently.
• Floods: Floods are generally well-controlled with multipurpose dams, but sometimes local downpours and a long rainy season can cause rivers to overflow and wreak havoc in low-lying areas.