Weather in Gwangju

Gwangju is in South Korea at 35.2°N. The 2001–2020 NASA POWER daily record describes a continental climate with a wide temperature swing. August is the warmest month (average 25.3°C, high 29.0°C) and January is the coolest (average -0.1°C, low -4.2°C).

Rain is wet season runs from April to September, inside an annual total of 1381 mm. The wettest month is July at 290 mm; the driest is January at 30 mm. On this site the months that score closest to a 22°C day, lighter rain, and moderate humidity are June, July, and September.

Rainfall pattern

The wet season in Gwangju starts in April and ends in September (April, May, June, July, August, and September). July is the core of it at 290 mm. January is the other extreme, with 30 mm.

Humidity peaks near 88%. That usually lines up with the wetter months rather than the hottest ones.

Hot and cool months in Gwangju

Gwangju has a 25.4°C gap between its coolest monthly average (-0.1°C in January) and its warmest (25.3°C in August). That is a northern-hemisphere pattern.

Across the year the mean afternoon high is 17.5°C. If you want the smallest day–night shock, look at months where the high and low sit close together; August nights still hold 21.6°C.

The calendar in Gwangju

The year bottoms out in January. Plan for -4.2°C at night and 3.9°C in the afternoon. In February, Gwangju averages 6.6°C by day and -3.1°C at night, with 47 mm of rain. March: 11.7°C high, -0.1°C low, 66 mm rain, 75% humidity. April is when the wet season typically starts in Gwangju: highs near 17.6°C, and rainfall jumps to 109 mm (8 rainy days). May brings 113 mm and 8 rainy days; temperatures run from 10.8°C to 22.6°C. In June, Gwangju averages 26.0°C by day and 16.1°C at night, with 160 mm of rain.

July is the wettest month — 290 mm and 17 rainy days, with 88% humidity. Peak heat arrives in August: 29.0°C by day, 21.6°C at night, and 86% humidity. By September the wet season is ending. Gwangju still sees about 151 mm, but the next month is usually leaner. October: 19.9°C high, 9.2°C low, 66 mm rain, 81% humidity. In November, Gwangju averages 13.1°C by day and 3.1°C at night, with 48 mm of rain. December brings 36 mm and 7 rainy days; temperatures run from -2.3°C to 6.0°C.

When the score favours a visit

The three months with the highest comfort score are June, July, and September: June (21.1°C average, 160 mm, 82% humidity); July (24.6°C average, 290 mm, 88% humidity); September (20.7°C average, 151 mm, 84% humidity). They fall in calendar order. The score rewards averages near 22°C, lower rainfall, and humidity near 60%. It is a climate score, not a festival or price calendar.

If you want the wet season itself — fewer crowds, greener landscape, heavier rain — aim at April–September instead of the score.

Gwangju and other cities in South Korea

Daejeon is about 139 km away: Gwangju is 0.5°C warmer than Daejeon in its hottest month and 156 mm wetter over the year than Daejeon. Daejeon’s wettest month is July (316 mm) versus July here.

Daegu is about 171 km away: Gwangju is 0.5°C warmer than Daegu in its hottest month and 181 mm wetter over the year than Daegu. Daegu’s wettest month is July (264 mm) versus July here.

Busan is about 192 km away: Gwangju is 0.6°C cooler than Busan in its hottest month and 107 mm drier over the year than Busan. Busan’s wettest month is July (299 mm) versus July here.