Climate Insights for Pyongyang
Central District, P'yŏngyang, North Korea
Climate Overview
The climate in Pyongyang is temperate. The average annual temperature is 12°C and approximately 1,109 mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 234 mm of rainfall. Pyongyang is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to -9°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Pyongyang is temperate. The average annual temperature is 53°F and approximately 43.7 in of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 9.2 in of rainfall. Pyongyang is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, December, February, when temperatures can drop to 16°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.
Temperature
Pyongyang has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 30°C and the mean temperature sits around 26°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -9°C and the daily average is -4°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 8°C shift in average temperatures.Pyongyang has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 70°F from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 86°F and the mean temperature sits around 79°F. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to 16°F and the daily average is 25°F. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 17°F between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 15°F shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Pyongyang is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1,109 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 92 mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 234 mm of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 15 mm. That's 219 mm less than August, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 32cm annually. December is the snowiest month with approximately 9cm.Pyongyang is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 43.7 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 3.6 in per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 9.2 in of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 0.6 in. That's 8.6 in less than August, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Light snowfall can occur between January and December, totalling around 13in annually. December is the snowiest month with approximately 4in.
Wind
Pyongyang is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 11km/h in winter, 11km/h in spring, 9km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.Pyongyang is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 6mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 7mph, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in September, with average winds dropping to 5mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2mph between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 7mph in winter, 7mph in spring, 5mph in summer, 6mph in autumn.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Pyongyang based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Pyongyang based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.