South Korea weather in January
South Korea in January averages -1°C (31°F), 27 mm of rain and 5.4 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in South Korea, January is the coldest and the driest.
- Average temp
- -1°C (31°F)
-6–4°C · 22–39°F
- Rainfall
- 27 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.4 h
hours per day
What is South Korea like in January?
Daytime
Days are cool.
Rain
Rain is usually light.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for South Korea in January?
A warm mid-layer
Nights drop to around -6°C (22°F).
January compared with December and February
January in South Korea is 1.9°C cooler than December and about as wet as it, which averages 1°C (34°F).
January in South Korea is 2.6°C cooler than February and 10 mm drier than it, which averages 2°C (35°F).
Daylight in South Korea in January
On 15 January the sun is up for 9 hours 59 minutes in South Korea, rising about 07:38 and setting about 17:37 local time.
January ends 37 minutes longer than it begins, so the last week of the month is a different length of day from the first.
That is 4 hours 36 minutes short of June, the longest-lit month here.
Travel guides for South Korea
What to read before you book.
South Korea weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How January compares with the rest of the year
January is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1°C / 31°F | 27 mm |
| February | 2°C / 35°F | 37 mm |
| March | 7°C / 44°F | 52 mm |
| April | 13°C / 55°F | 76 mm |
| May | 19°C / 65°F | 97 mm |
| June | 23°C / 73°F | 180 mm |
| July | 26°C / 78°F | 309 mm |
| August | 27°C / 80°F | 315 mm |
| September | 22°C / 71°F | 158 mm |
| October | 15°C / 59°F | 54 mm |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 47 mm |
| December | 1°C / 34°F | 28 mm |
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
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FAQs about South Korea in January
January climate averages for South Korea, 1991–2020.
South Korea averages -1°C (31°F) in January, ranging from about -6°C (22°F) at night to 4°C (39°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Barely. January sees only about 27 mm, so rain is unlikely to affect your plans.
No. January averages -1°C (31°F) against 2°C (35°F) in February — 2.6°C cooler.
January is 1.9°C cooler than December, and about as wet.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is May to October; January sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
About 5.4 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what January is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 9 hours 59 minutes of daylight in mid-January, against 14 hours 35 minutes in June and 9 hours 44 minutes in December.
On 15 January, sunrise is about 07:38 and sunset about 17:37 local time. Both shift across the month — the month ends 37 minutes longer than it starts.
