Climate South Korea
Korea's climate is more temperate continental than oceanic. As an East Asian country, Korea, like most Northern Hemisphere nations, is governed by four distinct seasons. Changes are easily felt. But unlike the countries with which it shares the same latitude, South Korea has hotter summers and much colder winters. January is the coldest and August the hottest. These two major seasons, summer and winter, generally last longer than the shoulder seasons. One of the most striking features of the Korean climate is that this small country is subject to temperature variations that can be as wide as 6°C to 16°C. Two other not inconsiderable factors are also part and parcel of the Korean climate: typhoons and pollution.
Sweet and flowery spring
Mid-March to early June is spring. Bees buzz and flowers bloom. On the whole, this is a relatively pleasant season. Temperatures rise crescendo from cool to very mild. The season begins with a late-winter climate and ends with warm, early-summer air. The main attraction of Korean spring? Without a doubt, the various cherry blossom festivals are the ideal spots for souvenir photos. It's easy to see why, given their splendor. It's also at this time of year, when the weather is mild, that many other festivities take place. The only downside is that spring can bring yellow sandstorms.
Humid and hot summer
After the mildness of spring, it's time to face the fiery temperatures of summer. It's very hot and the air is full of humidity. Daytime temperatures easily approach 40°C, and nights are hardly less hot.
This explosive combo of heat and humidity can quickly become unpleasant. Fortunately, public places such as hotels, restaurants and museums have air conditioning. There is another solution for Koreans and travellers who suffer from an unbreathable climate. Being close to the sea and Korea's many beaches is the best option. Millions of people flock to Busan's famous Haeundae beach every year. As a small aside, the peninsula's sun is relatively strong. So it's important to protect yourself as much as possible.
What's more, Korea is subject to monsoon rains. Unlike regions dominated by the Mediterranean, rainfall will be much higher in summer than in winter. The southernmost regions of the country are the hardest hit. In fact, two-thirds of annual rainfall occurs during this summer period. It's not for nothing that summer is a "rainy season", known in Korean as jangmacheol. In other words, an episode lasting from 1 to 3 weeks during which it rains heavily. Annual rainfall totals between 1,000 and 1,800 mm, which is quite substantial.
Beautiful autumn
Autumn is such a beautiful season, there's not much to say about it. Like spring, it's a very sunny season when the barometer never gets too high. It's perhaps the best time to plan a trip. The wooded country is decked out in flamboyant colors and orangey reds.
Freezing winter
Korea can be particularly cold. Drought and often sub-zero temperatures are the order of the day. The north-west of the country is directly affected by the cold air masses that come straight from Siberia. Although snowy spells are rare in the major cities, they do occur from time to time. The country's mountainous northeast, the Gangwondo region, offers good skiing. The last Winter Olympics were held in Pyeongchang. If you don't fancy winter sports during this season, it's best to opt for the milder temperatures of the south coast.
The climate of Seoul
Many hours will certainly be spent discovering this capital city. Seoul is specifically exposed to cold draughts from Siberia. Its average winter temperature is -5°C, but can sometimes drop as low as 20°C. Although the sun dominates the sky, so do the winds in the air. Summer temperatures are around 30°C. Average precipitation in the capital is spread over 108 days, reaching a total of 1,345 mm of rain per year. A summary of atmospheric readings indicates an average pollution level of 103 AQI(Air Quality Index) for the city alone. By way of comparison, the average for Paris is 22 AQI.
Typhoons
Typhoons are also likely to occur in summer. These tropical cyclones are quite impressive, with their torrential rains and violent winds. They usually occur between July and October. Although vigorous and muscular, typhoons generally leave as quickly as they arrived, and don't last more than a day. What's more, they are far less frequent than in Japan, for example.
Yellow sandstorms
This sand from the Gobi desert, between China and Mongolia, is loaded with toxic particles straight from Chinese factories. It is characteristic of spring and is called hwang-sa in Korea. Even if these storms are a long-term danger, the government, by warning the population well in advance, does everything in its power to protect them.
This is one of the reasons, in addition to pollution, why many Koreans wear masks. They're simply protecting themselves.
When to leave?
Summers are hot and humid, winters cold and dry. The off-seasons are therefore ideal for a trip to South Korea, as there are no meteorological excesses to be expected. It's also during these seasons that Korean nature displays its finest assets, and outdoor activities are at their most magnificent. If there's one month in particular that's a must, it's October..
What to bring in your suitcase?
In summer, of course, it's best to wear light clothing, but there's a specific cultural point to bear in mind. The skin on the upper part of the body must not be too visible. This applies to both men and women. For swimming, it's best to wear shorts and a t-shirt, as you don't really see anyone in a bikini on Korean beaches. As mentioned above, the Korean sun is very hot, so you'll need to bring sunglasses, a cap and sunscreen, as well as an umbrella and raincoat in case of showers. You'll also need to wage war on mosquitoes, which are very large in Korea and leave irritating bumps on your skin. For this, you'll need special creams or essential oils such as citronella.
In winter, it's time to bundle up. You'll need a thick sweater, gloves, scarf and coat.
In autumn, you can easily add a light jacket to your summer outfit.
In spring, if you're traveling early in the season, you'll need to be careful, as temperatures can sometimes take a turn for the worse. A warm jacket is a good way of dealing with this eventuality.
