Climate Insights for Gangneung

The climate in Gangneung is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 1357mm of precipitation falls per year. Gangneung receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Gangneung is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -7°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 113cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Gangneung vary considerably across the year, with a 34°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 24°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -7°C and the daily average is -3°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

Gangneung is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1357mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 113mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 256mm of rainfall. July and September also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is January, with just 38mm. That's 218mm 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. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 113cm accumulating over the season. March typically sees the most snow at around 37cm.

Gangneung 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 December, averaging 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap 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 12km/h in winter, 11km/h in spring, 8km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.

It is currently summer in Gangneung, which began on June 21, 2026. Gangneung is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 27°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -7°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 (7 days from now).

The best time to visit Gangneung is during May, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 79mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 27°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -7°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Gangneung 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.