Pyongyang, North Korea Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Pyongyang
Pyongyang's year is organised around rain rather than temperature. 59% of its 47.3 inches (1202 mm) annual total arrives in the June to August window, while January averages 15 mm (0.6 in). Temperatures move far less: 84°F (29°C) at the year's warmest against 32°F (0°C) at its coolest.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: August - highs near 84°F (29°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 32°F (0°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 96°F (36°C) high · -7°F (-22°C) low
- Wettest month: July (16 rainy days) · Sunniest: May (9.7 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid continental
- Annual swing: 30°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
- Snow: about 6 days a year
- Months with freezing average lows: 4
- Average humidity: 68%
Temperatures through the year
Snow falls on roughly 6 days a year, mostly December through March. Warmth peaks in August: highs of 84°F (29°C), lows of 71°F (22°C). January sits at the other end of the year: 32°F (0°C) by day, 16°F (-9°C) at night. Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 4 months, December through March.
Rain, sun and snow
Sunshine averages 8.6 hours a day over the year, peaking in May at 9.7 hours. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 96°F (36°C) and bottoms at -7°F (-22°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records.
How Pyongyang compares
- Its warmest and coolest months are 30°C apart - a wider seasonal swing than 96% of the 3496 cities we track.
- 59% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more seasonal than 91% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 16° | 3 | 0.6 in | 7.8 h/day | 9.7 h | 11% | 57% |
| February | 39° | 21° | 4 | 0.8 in | 8.4 h/day | 10.7 h | 14% | 58% |
| March | 52° | 30° | 5 | 1.3 in | 9.3 h/day | 11.8 h | 15% | 63% |
| April | 64° | 42° | 6 | 2.2 in | 9.6 h/day | 13.2 h | 21% | 62% |
| May | 73° | 52° | 8 | 4.3 in | 9.7 h/day | 14.3 h | 26% | 67% |
| June | 80° | 62° | 10 | 6.0 in | 9.7 h/day | 14.9 h | 34% | 74% |
| July | 84° | 71° | 16 | 11.0 in | 8.5 h/day | 14.6 h | 52% | 82% |
| August | 84° | 71° | 17 | 10.8 in | 8.7 h/day | 13.7 h | 55% | 83% |
| September | 77° | 61° | 7 | 4.4 in | 9.0 h/day | 12.4 h | 23% | 77% |
| October | 64° | 47° | 6 | 2.2 in | 8.3 h/day | 11.1 h | 20% | 71% |
| November | 49° | 33° | 7 | 2.6 in | 6.8 h/day | 10.0 h | 24% | 68% |
| December | 34° | 19° | 4 | 1.0 in | 7.2 h/day | 9.4 h | 14% | 60% |
Pyongyang month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Pyongyang's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 3 days
- Sunshine
- 7.8 h
- Daylight
- 9.7 h
- Snow
- 2 days
February
- Rain
- 4 days
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
- Daylight
- 10.7 h
- Snow
- 2 days
March
- Rain
- 5 days
- Sunshine
- 9.3 h
- Daylight
- 11.8 h
April
- Rain
- 6 days
- Sunshine
- 9.6 h
- Daylight
- 13.2 h
May
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 9.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.3 h
June
- Rain
- 10 days
- Sunshine
- 9.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.9 h
July
- Rain
- 16 days
- Sunshine
- 8.5 h
- Daylight
- 14.6 h
August
- Rain
- 17 days
- Sunshine
- 8.7 h
- Daylight
- 13.7 h
September
- Rain
- 7 days
- Sunshine
- 9.0 h
- Daylight
- 12.4 h
October
- Rain
- 6 days
- Sunshine
- 8.3 h
- Daylight
- 11.1 h
November
- Rain
- 7 days
- Sunshine
- 6.8 h
- Daylight
- 10.0 h
December
- Rain
- 4 days
- Sunshine
- 7.2 h
- Daylight
- 9.4 h
- Snow
- 2 days
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Pyongyang
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Pyongyang stays on the cool side of mild: 63°F (17°C) by day, 41°F (5°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 19 days across the season.
Summer (June through August)
Through summer, Pyongyang brings hot afternoons: 83°F (28°C) by day, 68°F (20°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 43 of the 90 days. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Pyongyang runs cool rather than cold: 64°F (18°C) by day, 47°F (8°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 20 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Pyongyang brings deep cold, with daytime highs averaging 35°F (2°C) and nights around 19°F (-7°C); rain comes on about 12 days over the three months, plus about 6 snowy days. Wind sharpens cold like this considerably; pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge exposed conditions.
Climate questions, answered
Is Pyongyang humid?
Is Pyongyang cold in winter?
When does Pyongyang drop below freezing?
When is monsoon season in Pyongyang?
What is the average temperature in Pyongyang?
Best time to visit Pyongyang
April to May and September to October is the sweet spot for Pyongyang - the rains have stopped and the heat has not yet peaked. Expect 70°F (21°C) in the afternoon and around 7 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.
Pack for Pyongyang with light clothing for the warm months, a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and a compact umbrella or rain shell. August nights average 71°F (22°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Pyongyang temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.