Monthly climate guide
Seoul weather in January
January in Seoul is typically freezing, with average daytime highs around 1°C (33°F) and night-time lows near -7°C (20°F). The month usually brings about 17 mm of rain (very dry) and is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 2°C cooler than December and 2°C cooler than February.
What stands out in January
- Short daylight hours mean Myeongdong is best seen around midday.
- Rain is well below Seoul's usual level (around 83% less).
- Seasonally, January counts as mid-winter in Seoul.
- Pack for frost — nights average -7°C in January.
January is typically Seoul's coolest month.It's usually the driest month of the year.
Avg high
1°C
33°F
Avg low
-7°C
20°F
Rainfall
17 mm
very dry
Humidity
76%
relative
Sky
56%
cloud · often cloudy
Seoul weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1°C / 33°F | -7°C / 20°F | 17 mm | 76% | 56% |
| February | 3°C / 38°F | -5°C / 23°F | 33 mm | 73% | 53% |
| March | 9°C / 49°F | 0°C / 31°F | 30 mm | 74% | 48% |
| April | 16°C / 60°F | 5°C / 41°F | 74 mm | 73% | 53% |
| May | 22°C / 71°F | 11°C / 52°F | 76 mm | 73% | 54% |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 17°C / 62°F | 106 mm | 74% | 63% |
| July | 28°C / 82°F | 21°C / 70°F | 345 mm | 83% | 75% |
| August | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 72°F | 243 mm | 82% | 65% |
| September | 25°C / 76°F | 17°C / 62°F | 108 mm | 77% | 55% |
| October | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 49°F | 62 mm | 73% | 43% |
| November | 11°C / 52°F | 3°C / 37°F | 59 mm | 75% | 55% |
| December | 3°C / 37°F | -5°C / 24°F | 26 mm | 76% | 55% |
What to pack for January
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- Thermal base layers and warm, grippy boots for icy mornings
Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
Our Seoul guide recommends: April to June or September to November, avoiding the summer monsoon and winter cold.
Wear a traditional hanbok (rentable near the palaces) for free entry to Gyeongbokgung — a popular and inexpensive way to visit.
Best time to visit Seoul →Other South Korea cities in January
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Seoul weather in January. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/south-korea/seoul/january
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/south-korea/seoul/january">Seoul weather in January</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/south-korea/seoul" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Seoul weather in January"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/south-korea/seoul/january">Seoul weather in January</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Seoul in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
January is cool in Seoul, with highs around 1°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Seoul in January?
Average highs are about 1°C (33°F) and average lows about -7°C (20°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in January?
Seoul typically gets around 17 mm of rain in January — very dry. It's usually the driest month of the year.
When is the best time to visit Seoul?
April to June or September to November, avoiding the summer monsoon and winter cold.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Seoul (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.