A normal January in Seoul: 2°C by day, -6°C at night, rain on about 2.9 days (17 mm). What to wear: cold — winter coat, warm layers. Seoul sees fresh snow on about 2.0 days in January. Public holidays: New Year’s Day (Jan 1).
January weather around Korea
| City | High / low °C | Rain mm | Rain days | Snow days | Humidity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 2° / -6° | 17 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 55 |
| Busan | 8° / 0° | 34 | 2.7 | 0.1 | 46 |
| Jeju City | 9° / 4° | 59 | 6.7 | 1.4 | 64 |
| Gangneung | 5° / -4° | 38 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 47 |
| Gyeongju | 6° / -5° | 26 | 3.1 | — | 52 |
| Jeonju | 5° / -4° | 27 | 4.9 | 2.2 | 66 |
| Daegwallyeong (ski area) | -1° / -12° | 22 | 3.5 | — | 65 |
Seoul daytime highs: December 4°C → January 2°C → February 5°C, so January is colder than the month before. For the next 10 days’ forecast see Korea weather.
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 (Fri) | New Year’s Day January 1 — the solar new year. Banks, government offices and post offices close; shops and restaurants mostly open. |
Banks and government offices close on these days; palaces, museums, shops and restaurants mostly open. See Korea public holidays for long weekends and what closes.
Festivals in January 2027
1 festival start in January, and 1 that began earlier are still on (Korea Tourism Organization listings).
| Festival | Dates | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (얼음나라화천 산천어축제) | Jan 9 – Jan 31 | Gangwon |
| Korea Grand Sale (코리아그랜드세일) | Dec 23 – Feb 13 | Seoul |
Plan the rest
FAQ
What is the weather like in Korea in January?
In Seoul a normal January has highs around 2°C and lows around -6°C, with rain on about 2.9 days. Jeju is 9°C / 4°C and Busan 8°C / 0°C.
What should I wear in Korea in January?
Cold — winter coat, warm layers. Mornings and evenings are around -6°C in Seoul.
Does it snow in Korea in January?
Seoul sees fresh snow on about 2.0 days in January. In the mountains, Daegwallyeong (near the Pyeongchang ski areas) had about 4.0 days with fresh snow in January while KMA still measured snow there (2011–2015).
Are there public holidays in January 2027?
New Year’s Day on Jan 1.
Weather: Korea Meteorological Administration station records, 2011–2025 averages (not the official 1991–2020 normals). Holidays: Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Festivals: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Page rebuilt 2026-10-01.
