Weather in Seoul in January
January in Seoul is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
In South Korea, this is how Seoul actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. January is the cold side of the year in Seoul. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- -2°C
-5–2°C
- Rainfall
- 18 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.3 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Seoul in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
January is on the drier side of the year in Seoul. Showers are possible. They do not define the month.
A shell that lives in the bag is enough. This is not July, and it should not be packed as if it were.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Seoul
Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Seoul
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Seoul
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
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FAQs about Seoul
Climate averages for Seoul, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Seoul is between April and June, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
August is the hottest month, with an average around 27°C.
July is the wettest month, with about 422 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
