Pyeongchang

Planning your day in Pyeongchang? In this section, you'll find the latest weather information, along with up-to-date forecasts and helpful charts.

The climate in Pyeongchang, located in South Korea, is characterized as humid continental with four distinct seasons. Winters here are cold and relatively dry, with average temperatures well below freezing, especially in January and December. Summer, by contrast, is warm and humid, with temperatures and rainfall peaking in July and August.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional seasons with milder temperatures. Spring brings a gradual warming, while autumn offers a cool reprieve from the summer heat. The most notable feature of the weather in Pyeongchang is the pronounced summer monsoon period in July and August, which sees the highest rainfall and the greatest number of rainy days. Precipitation levels are significantly lower during the rest of the year.

The climate in Pyeongchang is characterized by distinct seasons and a significant annual temperature range. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -4.2°C. During this time, nightly lows can reach -8.6°C, while daytime highs barely rise above 0°C. In contrast, the peak of summer warmth occurs in August, with an average temperature of 23.3°C. During the day, the air warms to an average of 26.6°C, while nighttime temperatures stay around 20.0°C.

Summer in Pyeongchang, spanning from June to August, offers warm weather. In July and August, average daytime temperatures hover between 26–27°C, providing comfortable conditions, although these months are also the most humid, based on the number of rainy days. The winter period, from December to February, brings true frost. Average temperatures consistently stay below freezing, and in January, even daytime thermometer readings struggle to cross the zero mark. Nighttime frosts are common in the winter months, with temperatures dropping to an average of -7°C to -9°C.

Spring and autumn in Pyeongchang are times of noticeable temperature contrasts, both between months and within a single day. For example, in April, the average temperature is about 10.1°C, but the difference between daytime highs (averaging 15.1°C) and nighttime lows (averaging 5.0°C) exceeds 10 degrees, indicating chilly nights and relatively warm days. A similar situation is observed in October: with an average temperature of 11.8°C, the daytime warmth of 16.3°C is replaced by a nighttime cooling to 7.2°C. These transitional seasons often delight with pleasant weather but require travelers to be prepared for significant daily temperature fluctuations.

Pyeongchang experiences a pronounced seasonality in precipitation throughout the year. The region is characterized by a monsoon climate, which leads to a significant increase in rainfall during the summer months and a drier winter period. Overall, the city receives the bulk of its annual precipitation concentrated in specific seasons.

The highest amount of rainfall occurs during the summer months, forming a distinct rainy season. July is the wettest month, with an average of 10 mm of precipitation and up to 20 rainy days. This is closely followed by August, with 9 mm of precipitation and approximately 19 rainy days. During this period, rain can be quite heavy. June and September also see increased precipitation (4 mm and 6 mm respectively) and a high number of wet days (11 days each), serving as transitional months into the peak of the rainy season.

Conversely, the winter months are the driest. January, February, and December receive minimal precipitation—just 1 mm per month—with about 5–6 days of precipitation. Given that average temperatures during these months drop well below freezing (e.g., -4.2°C in January), precipitation during this time primarily falls as snow. Spring and autumn months, such as March, April, October, and November, are transitional, with moderate precipitation (from 2 to 3 mm) and fewer wet days compared to summer. In March and November, with average temperatures between 0°C and 5°C, both rain and snowfall are possible.

When planning a trip to Pyeongchang, it's important to consider the significant seasonal weather variations. The winter months (December–February) are cold, with average temperatures below freezing and lows reaching -8.6°C. Therefore, your luggage should definitely include very warm, layered clothing: thermal underwear, fleece sweaters, an insulated waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Don't forget warm, waterproof footwear. Although there isn't much precipitation in winter, it can fall as snow.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional seasons. March is still chilly, but by May, the temperature becomes comfortable, reaching an average of +15.1°C. In autumn, the weather gradually cools down, from a pleasant +18.6°C in September to +4.8°C in November. Layering is the ideal approach for these periods: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a mid-season jacket that can be taken off or put on depending on the weather. A light hat and gloves may be useful in early spring and late autumn. Rainy days are also possible during these transitional seasons (averaging 7 to 11 per month), so a light waterproof jacket or umbrella will be useful.

Summer in Pyeongchang (June–August) is warm and humid, with average temperatures around +20–23°C. July and August are the wettest months, with many rainy days. For a summer trip, pack light, breathable clothing, and be sure to bring a raincoat or a sturdy umbrella. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes that dry quickly or are water-resistant. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes are a must-have, as Pyeongchang and its surroundings offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities and walks.