Korea in winter: temperatures, what to wear, short days and the 2027 Lunar New Year
In Seoul, winter hovers around -3°C at night and 4°C by day, with little snow. How to dress and what changes during the Lunar New Year (6 to 9 February 2027).
Machine translation from French, being reviewed. Read the French version (reference)
Contents
Korean winter is cold and dry, with lots of sunshine. It is very pleasant if you know what to expect.
Temperatures in Seoul
Between December and February, averages hover around 4°C by day and -3°C at night1. The depth of winter comes in mid-January: around 18 January it is usually between -6°C and 1°C1. Highs rarely drop below -5°C, but the north wind makes the cold bite harder1.
| Benchmark | Average value |
|---|---|
| Winter high | about 4°C1 |
| Winter low | about -3°C1 |
| Coldest day | around 18 January, -6°C to 1°C1 |
| Daylight on 22 December | about 9 h 30 min1 |
Snow and rain
Days with precipitation are rare in winter (about 12% of days), and snow-only days even rarer (about 2%)1. Expect mostly dry, cold weather.
What to wear
- A long padded coat (the "롱패딩" many Koreans wear), a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Thin layers underneath: indoor spaces (subway, shops, cafés) are well heated.
- Non-slip shoes for icy pavements.
- Moisturiser: the air is dry.
Short days
The sun sets early: about 9 h 30 min of daylight in late December, 11 h 20 min in late February1. Visit palaces and outdoor sites in the morning, keep museums, covered markets and cafés for late afternoon.
Lunar New Year 2027
Seollal (설날) falls on Sunday 7 February 2027. The holidays run from Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February (the 9th is a substitute holiday)2. During these days many small shops and family restaurants close, trains are packed and roads busy. Department stores, tourist sites and cafés in lively areas often stay open: check before you travel.
Winter festivals
In January, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (화천 산천어축제), with ice fishing, is one of the best known3. Dates change every year: check the official programme before booking.
In DariActivities and day trips from Seoul In DariTraveller's survival guide: seasons and preparationFrequently asked questions
Is Seoul very cold in January?
On average between -6°C and 1°C at its coldest, around 18 January, with a north wind1.
When is the 2027 Lunar New Year in Korea?
From Saturday 6 to Tuesday 9 February 2027, with the day itself on Sunday 7 February2.
Sources
- WeatherSpark, météo moyenne de l'hiver à Séoul · checked on 26 October 2026
- kholidayz, Seollal 2027 (calendrier officiel des jours fériés) · checked on 26 October 2026
- SeoulStart, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival · checked on 26 October 2026