Korean History Project
Visit China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia and Russia

Korea's Climate

Summer

Korean summers,which last from June through August, are dominated by moist southerly and southeasterly ocean winds blowing in from the Pacific High. By late June or early July, the monsoon seasons gets underway, making summers in Korea hot and wet. This onshore flow is well-established by July and persists until the latter part of September. For about five weeks the peninsula is bathed by calm rains, high temperatures, and high humidity. The plains of northwest Korea and the narrow coastal belt along the Southeastern Littoral receive heavy rains during the summer. In many parts of Korea it is not uncommon to see fewer than three days of clear weather during the entire month of July. During Korea's rainy period, Changma, which lasts from June through August, the peninsula receives from 305 to 508 mm (12.0 to 20.0 in) of rainfall, nearly half its average yearly total. Stationary weather fronts over the peninsula can produce significant rainfall that fills Korea's many rivers and streams and causes frequent flooding.

The hottest part of the year begins in early August and lasts about one month, when temperatures reach about 31-38°C (90°-100°F) in many areas. the mountainous high country of the northern Korea and the northeastern littoral enjoy warm, short summers. The warmer air settling over the cold currents of the Sea of Japan trigger dense coastal fogs along the northeast coast. In the area around Taegu in southern Korea, August temperatures can reach as high as 40°C (104°F). Even at Sinuiju, near the mouth of the Yalu River, August temperatures reach the century mark. In late August, the rainfall and humidity begin to diminish and the heat starts to dissipate. The heavy rains are over and harvest time is approaching.

 

Valid 4.01 Transitional HTML Code