Climate Insights for Gwangju
Seo-gu, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, South Korea
Climate Overview
The climate in Gwangju is temperate. The average annual temperature is 14°C and approximately 1,249 mm of precipitation falls per year. Gwangju receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Gwangju 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 -3°C. Light snow can occur between January and December.The climate in Gwangju is temperate. The average annual temperature is 57°F and approximately 49.2 in of precipitation falls per year. Gwangju receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Gwangju 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 26°F. Light snow can occur between January and December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Gwangju 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 31°C and the mean temperature sits around 27°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -3°C and the daily average is 1°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 9°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.Temperatures in Gwangju vary considerably across the year, with a 62°F difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 88°F and the mean temperature sits around 80°F. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to 26°F and the daily average is 34°F. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 16°F between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 12°F shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Gwangju is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1,249 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 104 mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 253 mm of rainfall. September and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 33 mm. That's 220 mm less than July, 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 18cm annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 8cm.Gwangju is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 49.2 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 4.1 in per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 10 in of rainfall. September and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 1.3 in. That's 8.7 in less than July, 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 7in annually. January is the snowiest month with approximately 3in.
Wind
Gwangju 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. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 3km/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 11km/h in winter, 10km/h in spring, 9km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.Gwangju 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. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2mph 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 7mph in winter, 6mph in spring, 5mph in summer, 6mph in autumn.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Gwangju is during May and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 91 mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 31°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -3°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 best time to visit Gwangju is during May and October, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 62°F with modest rainfall averaging 3.6 in per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 88°F, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 26°F. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Gwangju 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 Gwangju 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.