What December feels like in Seoul
For Seoul, December is early winter on the calendar. Midday brings little warmth — expect coat-and-scarf weather from morning to evening. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights drop well below freezing. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Seoul in December
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 6. Wet days average about 5 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 12.8 mm per rainy day. It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in December
In mid-December, sunrise is at about 7:39 am and sunset at about 5:15 pm (local time) — 9 h 36 min of daylight. Compared with mid-November, the day has lost 36 min. Measured sunshine covers about 77% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How December compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, December comes out as the 2nd coolest month in Seoul. Afternoons run 7.9°C (14.2°F) cooler than in November, with 24 mm less rain. January is cooler again. The next month's average high: 1.8°C (35.2°F).
Who December suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Seoul in December
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Seoul in December?
Afternoons average 3.1°C (37.6°F) and nights about -5.2°C (22.6°F) — cold by most people's standards. It is the 2nd coolest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Seoul in December?
Not especially. There are about 5 rainy days (25 mm), mostly moderate rain.
What should I wear in Seoul in December?
The numbers point to versatile layers, warm layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is December or January better for visiting Seoul?
January, narrowly: it ranks #8 of 12 among Seoul's months, against #10 for the other. January is cooler and has fewer rainy days.