North Korea climate

World Climates covers 18 places in North Korea. By annual mean temperature, the warmest is Chaeryŏng-ni (11 °C52 °F) and the coolest is Hyesan (5 °C41 °F). The wettest is Wŏnsan with 1,292 mm51 in of precipitation per year, the driest Changam-chon with 703 mm28 in.

The most common climate types (Köppen classification computed from these averages) are monsoon-influenced hot-summer humid continental (Dwa, 17 places) and monsoon-influenced warm-summer humid continental (Dwb, 1 place).

The highest monthly average high is in Nampo (29 °C85 °F in July); the lowest monthly average low is in Hyesan (−19 °C−3 °F in January).

Across the places in North Korea, the months that most often rank as the most comfortable are May, June and September (17, 15 and 13 of 18 places respectively).

Temperature and rainfall across North Korea

Annual mean temperatures in North Korea range from 5 °C41 °F to 11 °C52 °F. The typical place (the median of all 18) has a year average of 11 °C51 °F. Annual precipitation ranges from 703 mm28 in to 1,292 mm51 in. The median place receives about 981 mm39 in in an average year.

In 18 places of 18, the coldest month has an average low below 0 °C (32 °F). In 0 places, the warmest month has an average high above 30 °C (86 °F). No place here gets less than 250 mm (10 in) of precipitation a year. None gets more than 2,000 mm (79 in) a year.

Averaged over all 18 places, August is the warmest month, with a mean of 24 °C75 °F. January is the coldest, with −6 °C22 °F. The wettest month on average is July (262 mm10 in). The driest is January (11 mm0.4 in). Single places can differ a lot from this average, so check the page of each city.

The table below lists the places sorted by population. The largest ones covered here are Pyongyang, Hamhŭng and Nampo. Each city page has a chart and a table for every month. It also shows the best time to visit and what to pack. The figures are 25-year averages for 2001–2025 from NASA POWER. They describe grid cells of roughly 50–70 km, not single weather stations.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the warmest place in North Korea?

By annual mean temperature, the warmest place in North Korea is Chaeryŏng-ni at 11 °C52 °F. The coolest is Hyesan at 5 °C41 °F.

Where does it rain the most in North Korea?

Wŏnsan gets the most precipitation, 1,292 mm51 in in an average year. The driest place is Changam-chon with 703 mm28 in.

How many places in North Korea does this site cover?

World Climates has climate data for 18 places in North Korea. Each one has a page with monthly averages for temperature, rainfall, humidity and daylight.

When is the best time to visit North Korea?

It depends on the place. Across North Korea, the months that most often rank as the most comfortable are May, June and September. Check the page of each city for its own best months.