Busan’s climate is defined by its dramatic coastal setting at the southeastern edge of the Korean Peninsula. Classified as a humid subtropical climate (Cwa/Cfa), it is significantly milder than Seoul, particularly in winter, yet it faces the full force of the East Asian monsoon and late-summer typhoons.
Seasonal Rhythm and Atmospheric Character
Busan experiences four distinct seasons, each shaped by the interplay between the sea and the surrounding mountains.
- Spring (March – May): This is a period of rapid transition. The lingering dry air of winter gives way to moist southerly winds. Cherry blossoms peak between late March and early April, but the season is known for its variability; warm, sunny afternoons are frequently interrupted by the "flower-cold chill" (kkotsaem chuwi), a brief return of winter-like cold.
- Summer (June – August): The most intense season, summer is marked by the Changma (monsoon). From late June through July, stationary fronts bring persistent, often torrential rain. August is the peak of the heat, characterized by "tropical nights" (temperatures staying above 25°C/77°F) and stifling humidity that makes the air feel much heavier than the recorded temperature.
- Autumn (September – November): Widely considered the most pleasant time, autumn brings stable, high-pressure systems from the continent. The sky is famously deep blue and clear, a phenomenon locals call gonggi-ga malda (clean/clear air). While the risk of typhoons remains until early October, late autumn is mild, dry, and cool.
- Winter (December – February): Winter in Busan is cold and dry but notably sunnier and warmer than the rest of Korea. While Seoul might experience deep freezes of -15°C, Busan rarely stays below freezing during the day. Snow is an exceptionally rare event, often melting before it touches the ground.
Daily Rhythms and the