Weather in Pyongyang

Stay up to date with the latest weather conditions in Pyongyang. Below you will find current data, forecasts, and useful weather charts to help plan your time.

The climate in Pyongyang is characterized as continental, with four distinct seasons. Winters here are cold and quite dry, with average temperatures significantly below zero, especially in January. Summers, conversely, are warm and even hot, with peak temperatures in July and August, which are also the wettest months of the year.

Spring and autumn in Pyongyang are transitional seasons with moderate temperatures. In spring, the temperature gradually rises, while in autumn it gently drops, creating comfortable conditions for visiting the city. Rainfall noticeably increases from May to September, peaking in mid-summer. Overall, the weather in Pyongyang offers variety throughout the year, from frosty winter days to hot and humid summer ones.

Pyongyang experiences a significant annual temperature range, typical of a continental climate. The coldest month is traditionally January, when the average temperature drops to -4.9°C, and nightly lows can reach -9.6°C, while daytime highs rarely rise above -0.3°C. Conversely, the peak heat occurs in July and August. In July, the average temperature is 25.5°C, with daytime highs around 28.9°C and nightly lows around 22.0°C. August follows closely with an average temperature of 25.3°C.

The winter months in Pyongyang, from December to February, are characterized by frosty weather. Average temperatures consistently stay below zero, especially in January. Night frosts are a common occurrence, and daytime temperatures often remain negative. For example, in December the average temperature is -3.8°C, while in February it is slightly warmer at -1.1°C. This period is characterized by noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations, where the difference between the daily high and nightly low can exceed 8-9 degrees.

The summer period, especially from June to August, brings warm, and at times hot weather to Pyongyang. In June, the average temperature already reaches 21.6°C, rising to 26.0°C during the day. In July and August, daytime temperatures regularly approach the +29°C mark, creating quite hot conditions that can feel even more intense due to high humidity, as these are the rainiest months. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are less pronounced than in winter but still noticeable, averaging 6-7°C. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, also demonstrate significant temperature changes between day and night, sometimes reaching 10°C or more.

Pyongyang sees distinct seasonality in precipitation distribution throughout the year. A wet summer season is clearly traceable, contrasting with a rather dry winter. Spring and autumn months serve as transitional periods when the amount of precipitation gradually increases or decreases.

The highest amount of precipitation in Pyongyang falls during the summer months. July and August are the wettest, with an average of 8 mm of precipitation recorded. August also leads in the number of days with precipitation – about 18 days, while in July there are approximately 16. June is also quite rainy, bringing about 6 mm of precipitation and roughly 11 rainy days. Summer precipitation usually comes in the form of rain, which can be quite intense.

The winter period, covering months from December to March, is characterized as the driest in Pyongyang. In January, February, March, and December, a minimal amount of precipitation falls – just 1 mm in each of these months. February stands out with the fewest number of days with precipitation, totaling only about 4. Given that average temperatures in December, January, and February consistently stay below zero (for instance, the average January temperature is -4.9°C), winter precipitation mainly falls as snow. In spring, especially in May (4 mm of precipitation, 10 wet days), and in autumn, in September (4 mm of precipitation, 9 wet days), moderate precipitation is observed, reflecting the transition between the dry winter and wet summer seasons.

When planning a trip to Pyongyang, it is important to carefully choose your wardrobe, as the weather here has distinct seasons. In winter (from December to February), expect severe cold: average temperatures drop significantly below zero, and night frosts are common. You will need very warm items: thermal underwear, an insulated windproof jacket, warm sweaters, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and waterproof winter boots. Although there is little precipitation in winter, it falls as snow. Summer (from June to August) in Pyongyang is warm and humid, with temperatures reaching +29°C, and these are the rainiest months. For a summer trip, pack light, breathable clothing (cotton, linen), headwear, sunscreen, and definitely a reliable umbrella or raincoat.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with changeable weather and noticeable temperature fluctuations throughout the day. During this time, layered clothing will be the ideal solution. Bring t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, jumpers or fleece jackets, as well as a mid-season jacket or windbreaker. This will allow you to easily adapt to changing conditions by adding or removing layers of clothing. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute necessity, as you will likely be walking a lot. A compact folding umbrella will also come in handy not only in summer but also in the off-season when unexpected precipitation is possible.