Climate Overview
The climate in Gangneung is temperate. The average annual temperature is 13°C and approximately 1280mm 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, September. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 0°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 57cm accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Temperatures in Gangneung vary considerably across the year, with a 26°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is August, when average highs reach 26°C and the mean temperature sits around 25°C. January is the coolest month, with minimum temperatures around 0°C and an average of 2°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 4°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between November and December, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Gangneung is a fairly wet location, receiving approximately 1280mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 107mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 232mm of rainfall. September and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is December, with just 47mm. That's 185mm less than July, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 57cm accumulating over the season. March typically sees the most snow at around 18cm.
Wind
Gangneung is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 4km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 5km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 3km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 2km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
92 days until 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 26°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near 0°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 92 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from 5 to 19°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 214mm for the season, averaging 71mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 4km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 18 to 26°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 490mm across the season with a monthly average of 163mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 3km/h. Light, breathable clothing is ideal — perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn
Temperatures range from 8 to 22°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 424mm across the season with a monthly average of 141mm. Winds are generally light, averaging 4km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from 0 to 6°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 152mm for the season, averaging 51mm per month. Expect around 36cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 5km/h. Warm winter clothing and waterproof boots are a must, and travel may be affected by snow.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Gangneung is during May and June, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 18°C with modest rainfall averaging 66mm per month. By contrast, August can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 26°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 0°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
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.