South Korea Seoul Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Seoul is Below Average
Seoul Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 2° / -6°
- Rainfall
- 21mm · 6 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Seoul in January averages a high of 2°C and low of -6°C with 21mm of rain over about 6 days. Heavy waterproof down coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with thermal base. Snow boots advisable. Korean winters are brutally cold and dry.
January is Below Average for Seoul.
January is Seoul's coldest month — average highs 2°C / 36°F, lows -6°C / 21°F, with wind chill making it feel much colder. Snow happens 4-5 days per month with one major storm typical.
This is also Seoul's quietest tourist month. Hotels and flights are at the cheapest of the year. Mid-range Myeongdong hotels can be found at $50-90/night vs $150+ in spring.
Travel score
Seoul's coldest month — clear, dry sub-zero winter with low hotel prices
January Weather at a Glance
January in Seoul averages 28°F / -2°C highs and 19°F / -7°C lows — the year's coldest. Cold snaps can drop to 5°F / -15°C. The Siberian high keeps skies clear and air dry, making for great photo conditions despite the cold. Snow falls about 6 days/month and turns palaces and shrines into iconic winter scenes. Sunrise 7:47 AM, sunset 5:22 PM — short daylight.
January Travel Advice
Heavy down or wool coat, scarf, gloves, hand warmers. Korea's domestic-travel off-season means everything is quieter. Lunar New Year (Seollal, varies by year, late January to mid-February) closes 70% of family-run restaurants for 3-5 days. Watch for the Bosingak New Year's Eve bell-ringing on December 31.
Flying In from Overseas
Asia-Seoul round-trip from Tokyo $250-400, from Singapore $400-700, from Europe $600-900. K-ETA required 72+ hours pre-arrival ($7). The 2-week window between January 5 and Lunar New Year is the year's best value. No time difference with Tokyo/Osaka.
January Pricing Trends
Business hotels $40-65/night. Gangnam 4-star $100-170. Hotel prices spike only during Lunar New Year week.
Seoul January Weather Stats
Avg High
2°C
Avg Low
-6°C
Rainy Days
6
21mm total
Sunshine
5.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
60%
Dry
UV Index
2
Low
Wind
13 km/h
Gusts 26
Snow Days
6
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 6 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
32 μg/m³
PM10
50 μg/m³
Status
Moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-2°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
13 km/h
Max gust 26 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest month for hotels and flights
- Skiing day trips to nearby resorts
- Empty Lotte World Theme Park
Cons
- Brutally cold (-6 to 5°C / 21-41°F)
- Lunar New Year closes many businesses
- Short daylight (sunset 5:30 PM)
January Events & Festivals
- Lunar New Year (varies — late January or February) — major holiday, families travel
- Winter sales at department stores
- Pyeongchang Trout Festival (1.5h from Seoul)
Seoul in January — Full Picture
January is Seoul's coldest month — average highs 2°C / 36°F, lows -6°C / 21°F, with wind chill making it feel much colder. Snow happens 4-5 days per month with one major storm typical.
This is also Seoul's quietest tourist month. Hotels and flights are at the cheapest of the year. Mid-range Myeongdong hotels can be found at $50-90/night vs $150+ in spring.
Lunar New Year (varies year to year — late January or early February) is Korea's biggest family holiday. Many businesses close for 4-6 days. Trains and KTX bullet trains to Busan and rural areas are 100% booked weeks ahead. If your dates align with Lunar New Year, embrace it culturally (visit the palaces dressed in hanbok) but expect closures.
Indoor sights are wonderful: Lotte World Theme Park (Jamsil) is essentially empty. Korean spas (jjimjilbang) like Spa Lei in Gangnam are at peak comfort — entry $15-25 for 24-hour access including ondol-heated floors, bathing pools, and sleep rooms. The Korean ondol heating system makes restaurants and cafés genuinely warm refuges.
Days are short (sunrise 7:45 AM, sunset 5:30 PM). Plan outdoor activities for midday. Skiing day-trips to nearby resorts (Vivaldi Park 1.5h, Hyundai Sungwoo 2h) are excellent.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Heavy waterproof down coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with thermal base. Snow boots advisable. Korean winters are brutally cold and dry.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
17.3°C
7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.7°C
20.7°C
13.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
19°C
9.3°C
7.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current3.7°C
-4.7°C
5.3/mo
Seoul Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -6° | 6d·21mm | 5.5h | 60% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 5° | -4° | 5d·23mm | 6h | 58% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 11° | 1° | 7d·49mm | 7h | 58% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| April (Best) | 18° | 7° | 8d·70mm | 7.5h | 60% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 13° | 9d·105mm | 8h | 64% | 8 | Busy | Peak |
| 28° | 18° | 10d·130mm | 7.5h | 70% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 22° | 16d·405mm | 4.5h | 78% | 9 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 22° | 14d·290mm | 5.5h | 75% | 9 | Busy | Peak | |
| 27° | 17° | 10d·165mm | 6.5h | 72% | 7 | Busy | Peak | |
| October (Best) | 19° | 9° | 6d·50mm | 7h | 65% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 11° | 2° | 6d·50mm | 6h | 65% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -4° | 5d·22mm | 5h | 65% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Seoul January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
Seoul in January is Below Average. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Seoul in January?
Seoul January averages a high of 2°C and a low of -6°C.
Does it rain much in Seoul in January?
Seoul January averages 21mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Seoul in January?
Heavy waterproof down coat, scarf, gloves, hat. Layered with thermal base. Snow boots advisable. Korean winters are brutally cold and dry.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Seoul in January?
Seoul January sunrise is 07:47 and sunset is 17:30, with 9h 43m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Seoul in January?
Seoul January air quality (AQI) averages 75, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 32μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Seoul in January?
In January, Seoul is great for Skiing day trips, Korean spa (jjimjilbang), Empty Lotte World.
Is January peak season in Seoul?
Seoul January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Seoul
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Seoul?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.