Climate - Busan (South Korea)

In Busan (or Pusan), Korea's second largest city, located on the southeast coast, the climate is temperate: winters are quite cold but sunny, while summers are hot, muggy and rainy, but tempered by the breeze. Like the rest of Korea, the city is affected by the monsoon circulation: in winter, cold northwest currents prevail, while in summer, they will be replaced by hot and humid currents of tropical origin. Spring and autumn are transitional periods, mild and pleasant, especially the month of October.
Here are the average temperatures.

In winter, the average temperature is a few degrees above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). There are quite mild periods, with highs around or even above 10 °C (50 °F), but also cold periods, sometimes freezing. In the worst moments, the temperature can drop to -10 °C (14 °F) or even below, though it goes better than in Seoul, where the temperature can plunge to -20 °C (-4 °F).
Busan is located in the least snowy area of Korea, that of the south-east coast: here, snowfalls are very rare, and generally light.
Spring is mild, but the rains gradually increase, however, owing to the monsoon, the rainiest season is summer: from June to August, more than 700 millimeters (27.5 inches) of rain fall. The rains can sometimes be torrential. The worst month, the wettest and least sunny, is generally July. In summer, there can be also periods of good weather, which can be very hot, with highs about 35 °C (95 °F).
In autumn, rainfall decreases, and by October, the rains are quite rare. Here is the average precipitation.

From July to early October (and occasionally, also in the second half of June), Busan can be affected by typhoons, the tropical cyclones of South-East Asia. Typhoons affect in a particular way this southern coastal area, bringing torrential rain and strong winds, as happened with super-typhoon Sarah in September 1959, with typhoon Maemi in September 2003, and more recently, with typhoon Sanba on September 17, 2012, and with typhoon Chaba on October 4-5, 2016.



The amount of sunshine in Busan is good in winter, when there are many sunny days, while it reaches its minimum in July, when, owing of the summer monsoon, cloudy skies prevail. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

In Busan, and along the southern Korean coast, the sea becomes warm enough for swimming in August and September, but it is basically acceptable also in July. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Busan - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Busan is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.4 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -2.6 °C (27.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.4 °C (45.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in January 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 53%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Busan is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -0.7 °C (30.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.6 °C (49.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in February 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (55 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Busan is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -6 °C (21.2 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in March 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Busan is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in April 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Busan is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in May 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Busan is usually warm. The average temperature is of 22.4 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.6 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (78.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Busan is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 25.8 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.8 °C (73 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it dropped to 15 °C (59 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 325 mm (12.8 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (73.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Busan is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 27.0 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 23.5 °C (74.4 °F) and a maximum of 30.4 °C (86.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 17 °C (62.6 °F) in August 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 265 mm (10.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Busan is usually warm to hot and muggy. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.8 °C (80.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Busan is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.1 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in October 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Busan is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Busan is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in December 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.