Getting to know Korea : Climate

South Korea's Climate

South Korea experiences all 4 seasons, sometimes more/less distinct than others. That is to say, a hot summer, leaves turning in the fall, cold winter with some snow, and a cool to warm spring. Despite its peninsular geographical location, it is more affected by the continent than the ocean, according to meteorologists. It is often referred to as a humid, monsoonal climate, especially felt in the summer.

In the winter, Siberian winds cross the Korean peninsula to create an average of 3.5 degrees Celsius (below freezing) along with some snow. That means--bring your winter jackets! The snowfall in the rural areas tends to be more prominent, while in Seoul and Incheon, the snow doesn't accumulate nearly as much. Even if you're in the southern tip of South Korea, it still gets chilly, although a bit warmer in comparison to the northern areas and areas more inland.
The spring brings the swallow and blooming cherry blossoms. During this time, there are many festivals all over the country celebrating the blooming of these beautiful flowers. Spring generally begins in the later part of March and everything begins thawing. With this thawing comes gradually increasing rainfall. It's not monsoon-sized rains, but gradual, making it just perfect for the rice seedbeds to be prepared.
As mentioned earlier, the summer is HOT and HUMID. Many days humidity levels are above 80% and degrees range from 29.5 degrees celsius or higher. (No worries, there IS air conditioning in Korea and in your apartment!) Beginning in June, the gradually increasing rainfall of the spring becomes heavier and heavier as monsoon season approaches. Sometimes flooding does occur, especially in the more rural areas. However, this massive amount of rain is good for the rice crop.
Finally, the autumn is what one would typically envision when thinking of the fall season. In Korea, autumn is relatively short, lasting approximately 2 months. The leaves of the trees turn colors, which is particularly beautiful along the edges of the Han River. Koreans enjoy a small break from the high pressures and humidity. A dry wave encroaches up on the country and the days are dry and sunny while the nights tend to be cooler and sometimes end up in frost.
Overall, Korean climate is manageable and does not vary within seasons. Summers do get hot and long, but on the flipside, winters feel relatively short! All this information should help you decide what to pack, but more importantly, get mentally ready for your arrival in Korea!


Sources :
http://user.chollian.net/~jis0523/korea-climate.htm