Compare the climate averages
These are 1991–2020 climate averages, not a forecast for your visit. The daily high and low columns average many days over that period; they are not limits on how hot or cold a particular day can become. Precipitation is the average monthly total.
| City | Monthly mean (°C) | Average daily high (°C) | Average daily low (°C) | Average high–low difference (°C) | Monthly precipitation (mm) | Relative humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Busan (부산) | 5.4 | 10.2 | 1.5 | 8.7° | 49.6 | 49.4% |
| Daegu (대구) | 3.5 | 8.8 | −1.1 | 9.9° | Not available in this dataset | Not available in this dataset |
| Gangneung (강릉) | 2.7 | 7.1 | −1.3 | 8.4° | 48.0 | 49.2% |
| Gyeongju (경주) | 2.3 | 8.4 | −3.1 | 11.5° | 30.8 | 56.7% |
| Incheon (인천) | 0.7 | 4.8 | −2.8 | 7.6° | 25.1 | 61.2% |
| Jeju (제주) | 6.8 | 9.9 | 4.0 | 5.9° | 57.2 | 63.3% |
| Seoul (서울) | 0.7 | 5.1 | −3.2 | 8.3° | 28.2 | 54.6% |
| Sokcho (속초) | 1.9 | 6.0 | −2.2 | 8.2° | 45.9 | 53.2% |
Source: Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020 climate normals. A missing value means it is unavailable in the dataset used here, not that the city has no rain or that no other climate record exists. The selected table does not cover every Korean city.
Keep winter clothing in your plan
February is warmer on average than January, but freezing nights remain common in Seoul and inland areas. Coastal destinations can be milder without being reliably warm.
Wear layers under a winter coat so you can adjust between outdoors and heated buildings. Watch for ice where snow melts during the day and freezes again overnight.
Air quality can also vary. Check the current readings and alerts instead of assuming winter air is always clear or that pollution begins on a particular date.
Plan around Seollal
Seollal is Korean Lunar New Year. The celebration itself is 17 February 2026 and 7 February 2027. The public-holiday breaks are 16–18 February 2026 and 6–9 February 2027, including the latter year's substitute day.
Long-distance trains, buses and roads can be busy around the break. Check the transport operator's holiday sales notice and eligibility for each booking channel. Staying in one base may simplify your plans if a particular intercity journey is not essential.
Family-run businesses may close, while some attractions run holiday programmes. Check the exact venue and date. A free-admission programme announced for one year is not a standing promise for the next.
Confirm attraction hours after the holiday too
Palaces and museums have their own regular closures, seasonal hours and exceptional maintenance days. A site that opens on its usual closing day during a holiday may close on another day instead.
Check the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center and each museum's current notice before finalising a route. The day after a holiday programme deserves the same check as the holiday itself.
Check late-winter activities individually
Ski resorts may begin closing particular lifts or runs during late winter, depending on snow, maintenance and their operating plans. Look up the open terrain for your dates rather than judging by the resort's overall season end.
The Taebaeksan Snow Festival sometimes extends into February; consult its official programme. Jeongwol Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar year, also moves between February and March. It falls on 21 February in 2027.
Outdoor programmes may change with weather. Keep an alternative activity and enough flexibility to adjust travel if snow or ice affects the route.
Balance outdoor and indoor time
February can work for winter scenery, skiing or a holiday-focused visit. It is too early to assume mild spring conditions, so avoid planning every day around long outdoor walks.
Warm footwear, gloves and layers remain useful. Allow breaks indoors and check both the forecast and any transport notices before a longer excursion.
