Early winter · Weather & things to do
Seoul in December
Seoul cools off: highs slip to 37°F (3°C), from 51°F in November, with lows of 24°F (-4°C) and about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 52/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 24°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.9 in (22 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 55%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 25 min
- Comfort score
- 52/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 37°F (3°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 24°F (-4°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 9 h 25 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are May and October.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 24°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Shortest days of the year, about 9 h 25 min of daylight.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 8°C (14°F) from November.
- Our Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 24°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Seoul in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Myeongdong Kyoja
Long-running spot for kalguksu knife-cut noodles and dumplings since 1966.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
National Museum of Korea
Free national collection spanning gold Silla crowns to Joseon ceramics.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Hillside lanes of traditional tiled-roof homes between two palaces.
Gwangjang Market
Century-old market with stalls frying mung bean pancakes and serving yukhoe and mayak gimbap.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Euljiro Nogari Alley
Plastic tables, cheap beer and dried pollack snacks spill into the street each evening.
Nearby in December
- Gyeongju in December~172 mi · highs 44°F, 1.3 in rain · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Busan in December~202 mi · highs 51°F, 1.6 in rain · 8°C (15°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Seoul in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Seoul?
It's middling, scoring 52/100. The best months are May and October, at up to 94. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain or snow. Our Seoul, Gyeongju & Busan route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Seoul in December?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 24°F (-4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Seoul in December?
Not much: about 0.9 in (22 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 48.9 in (1241 mm).
What should I pack for Seoul in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 24°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Seoul in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.