01Weather
Seoul weather in January
Afternoons in January average 2.9 °C (37 °F) and nights cool to -5.4 °C (22 °F). Compared with December it is 1.2 °C cooler; February is 2.9 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 8 °C / 47 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 28 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -11 °C / 13 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 26.9 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 13.7 °C / -18.6 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:46 | 17:24 | 9.6 h |
| 15 January | 07:45 | 17:37 | 9.9 h |
| 31 January | 07:36 | 17:54 | 10.3 h |
Daylight grows by about 42 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Seoul).
03Crowds
How busy Seoul is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- coldest month
- Seollal (Lunar New Year) in late January or February closes much of the city for three days
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Seoul in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Seollal (Lunar New Year) | late January or February, three-day holiday | holiday |
07Packing
What to pack for Seoul in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 27 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the coldest month, with afternoons barely above freezing and nights down to minus ten, but the skies are usually clear and dry, with snow on only a few days. Seollal, the Lunar New Year, often falls in late January, when family-run restaurants close, intercity trains sell out and the palaces offer free entry and folk games. Winter sales run all month, and the ski resorts near Seoul are at their best.
The Han River freezes in places, and the outdoor rink at Seoul Plaza runs daily. Hotel prices are at their lowest outside the holiday. The underground malls at Gangnam and Express Bus Terminal and the jjimjilbang spas are the warm circuit. Daylight runs from about half past seven to half past five. For the last cold weeks and the lowest rates, see February.
09Compare
Seoul month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 °C | -5 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 6 °C | -3 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 13 °C | 3 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| April | 20 °C | 9 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 24 °C | 14 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 28 °C | 20 °C | 17 | – | moderate | Good |
| July | 31 °C | 24 °C | 20 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| August | 31 °C | 25 °C | 19 | – | moderate | Mixed |
| September | 27 °C | 19 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 20 °C | 11 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| November | 13 °C | 4 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| December | 4 °C | -4 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Seoul.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Kyoto in January | 10 °C | 6 |
| Shanghai in January | 10 °C | 11 |
| Beijing in January | 4 °C | 0 |
| Tokyo in January | 10 °C | 4 |
| Bangkok in January | 33 °C | – |
| Singapore in January | 30 °C | 11 |
11FAQ
Seoul in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Seoul?
January is a good month to visit Seoul. Daytime highs average 3 °C (37 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Seoul in January?
Expect cold days around 3 °C (37 °F) and nights near -5 °C (22 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 8 °C, and one in ten stays below -2 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in January?
January in Seoul, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Seoul in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Seoul crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: coldest month; Seollal (Lunar New Year) in late January or February closes much of the city for three days.
What time does it get dark in Seoul in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:37 and rises at 07:45, giving 9.9 hours of daylight.