Korea in December Weather, City by City

December is the first true winter month in Korea. A dry wind comes down from the continent, the sky is clear more often than not, and the temperature rarely climbs far above freezing in the north of the country. The cold is a dry cold, though, and on a sunny afternoon in the city it can feel milder than the number on your phone.

How cold it gets depends a great deal on where you are. The table below uses the Korea Meteorological Administration's climate normals for 1991 to 2020, the official long-term averages for each weather station.

"Days with snow" counts every day on which snow was seen falling at the station, even a few flakes, while "days with rain or snow" counts days with at least 0.1 mm of precipitation. That is why Seoul can show more snow days than wet days: many of its December snowfalls are brief flurries that barely register.

Three patterns stand out. Seoul is cold but dry, with only about 23 mm of precipitation in the whole month. Busan is the mildest big city and one of the sunniest. Jeju City is the warmest on paper, but it is also the greyest, with the most wet days and a strong wind off the sea, so a 10°C day there can feel cooler than a sunny 4°C day in Seoul.

The days are short. In Seoul the sun rises at about 7:30 a.m. in early December and close to 7:45 a.m. by the end of the month, and it sets at about 5:15 p.m. for almost the whole month. The shortest day is the winter solstice, which falls on December 22 in Korea this year.

Early, Mid or Late December: How the Month Changes

December sits between two very different months. Seoul's average high falls from about 12°C (54°F) in November to about 4°C (40°F) in December and about 2°C (36°F) in January. The early days of the month therefore lean toward late autumn, and the last days already feel like the depths of winter.

Early December (1 to 10). This is the gentlest stretch. Sunny afternoons in Seoul can still reach the high single digits, while mornings hover around freezing. The last brown leaves are coming down, the year-end lights are already up in the department stores, and the big outdoor festivals have not started yet. If you are coming from our guide to Korea in November, the first week of December feels much like the end of that month.

Mid-December (11 to 20). The cold settles in. Below-freezing mornings become the rule rather than the exception in Seoul, and cold snaps from the northwest can push daytime highs below zero for a few days at a time before the weather eases again. This is also when the city switches on its winter program: the Seoul Winter Festival starts on December 11.

Late December (21 to 31). The deepest cold of the month usually arrives now, close to January's averages. Snow is more likely, and the city is at its busiest, with Christmas, the year-end shows and New Year's Eve all within ten days. The cold is easy to handle with the right layers; it is the crowds you need to plan for.

Does It Snow in Korea in December?

Yes, but where you are matters more than the date. On average, Seoul sees its first snow of the season around November 20, and in December snow is seen falling on about six days. Most of those are light snowfalls or short flurries, and the city clears its main roads and sidewalks quickly. A day when Seoul wakes up under a real blanket of snow happens most winters, but nobody can promise it for a given week.

For reliable snow, go east. The mountains of Gangwon-do, around Pyeongchang and Daegwallyeong, are the coldest and snowiest inhabited part of South Korea, with snow on about 11 December days and average lows near −9°C (15°F). That is where the country's big ski resorts sit. Most resorts near Seoul and in Gangwon-do begin their season between late November and mid-December, as soon as the nights are cold enough to make snow, and opening dates are posted on each resort's website.

The west and southwest coasts, around Jeonju and the Jeolla provinces, get more snow days than you might expect, because cold air crossing the Yellow Sea picks up moisture and drops it as snow. Busan, on the other hand, sees snow on only about one December day in an average year. On Jeju, flurries reach Jeju City on about five December days but rarely settle there; the lasting snow stays on Hallasan and the island's higher roads.

One practical point: fresh snow in Korean cities is often followed by a hard frost, and the steep streets of neighborhoods such as Bukchon and Ihwa-dong get slippery. Shoes with a grippy sole matter more than heavy boots.

What to Wear in Korea in December

Dress for two climates at once. Outside, it is cold and often windy. Inside, the subway, cafes, department stores and restaurants are heated, sometimes generously, and Korean homes and many hotels use underfloor heating. One huge coat over a T-shirt leaves you shivering on the street and sweating underground. Layers you can open or take off work far better.

Early December. A wool coat or a light padded jacket over a knit or sweatshirt covers most days. Add a scarf for the evening, when the temperature drops quickly after sunset.

Mid to late December. This is padded-coat season. Look around any Seoul subway car and you will see the long padded coats Koreans wear all winter, often over a hoodie or knit. Underneath, a thin thermal top and leggings or thermal tights make a big difference on the coldest mornings and disappear once you are indoors. Add gloves, a hat that covers your ears, warm socks and closed shoes. If you are spending an evening outdoors, for the lights or a riverside walk, plan for temperatures well below freezing once the sun is down.

• Busan and Jeju: one step lighter than Seoul. A warm coat with a knit underneath is usually enough, but bring something windproof, especially on Jeju's coast.
• Gangwon-do and the ski resorts: one step heavier. Expect temperatures far below freezing, wind on the ridges and snow underfoot.
• Shoes: waterproof sneakers or short boots with good grip. You will walk a lot, and melting snow and icy patches are more of a problem than deep snow.
• Dry air: cold, dry air outside and heated rooms inside dry out everything. Carry a water bottle and a lip balm.

What's On in December

• Department store Christmas lights (from November): Shinsegae's main store in Myeongdong shows its new Christmas film on the Shinsegae Square media facade from November 6, and Lotte's main store across the street has been lit with about 20,000 bulbs since October 30. In Yeouido, The Hyundai Seoul opens its reservation-only Christmas Village on November 10.
• Seoul Winter Festival (December 11 to January 31): the city's 52-day winter festival. Seoul Light Gwanghwamun, the media art show on Gwanghwamun Gate, and Gwanghwamun Market run from December 11 to January 10. The Seoul Lantern Festival on Cheonggyecheon and Seoul Light DDP run from December 11 to January 31, and the Seoul Plaza ice rink is open from December 18 to February 9.
• Winter solstice (December 22): dongji, the longest night of the year, when many Koreans eat patjuk, a red bean porridge, often with small rice-cake balls.
• Korea Grand Sale (December 23 to February 13): the official winter shopping and travel festival for international visitors. Our Korea Grand Sale guide explains how the discounts work.
• SBS Gayo Daejeon (December 24 and 25): the broadcaster's year-end K-pop festival, held over two nights at KINTEX in Ilsan for its 30th edition. A first wave of 22 performers has been announced, with more names to come. KBS has not yet announced the date or venue of its year-end KBS Song Festival.
• Christmas Day (Friday, December 25): a public holiday in Korea, which makes this year's Christmas a long weekend.
• SEOULCon (December 29 to January 1) and the New Year's Eve bell ringing at Bosingak (December 31): both part of the Seoul Winter Festival, with the bell rung at midnight to welcome the new year.

For the full Christmas picture, with bookings, markets and the best evening route, see our guide to Seoul's Christmas markets and light shows. For year-end stages, award shows and how fans get seats, see our guide to K-pop concerts in Seoul in December.