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Hyangwonjeong Pavilion at Gyeongbokgung Palace in early spring

Korea in March 2027: Weather, Samiljeol and Early Spring Blooms

Photo: Noh Mun Duek, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hyangwonjeong (향원정) in spring.jpg

Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026

Summary

March is cold in Seoul and turning mild in the south. Seoul averages 6.1°C, with an average high of 11.0°C, an average low of 1.9°C and 36.9 mm of precipitation (KMA normals 1991–2020). Monday 1 March 2027 is a public holiday, giving a three-day weekend. Jeju and the south start to bloom in late March. Official 2027 bloom and festival dates are not yet published.

At a glance

Seoul average
6.1°C
Average high
11.0°C
Average low
1.9°C
Precipitation
36.9 mm
Holiday
Monday 1 March 2027
Yellow dust (Seoul)
2.2 yellow dust days

Details

March is the start of spring, but Seoul still feels like late winter. Mornings are near freezing, afternoons are mild, and flowers open first on Jeju and the south coast. This guide is written on 20 October 2026 for travel in March 2027. Where organizers have not announced 2027 dates, it says so and shows the 2026 pattern.

Weather in March

City Average high (°C) Average low (°C) Precipitation (mm)
Seoul 11.0 1.9 36.9
Busan 13.8 5.3 89.7
Jeju City 13.3 6.6 90.6

Source: KMA climate normals 1991–2020, stations 108, 159 and 184 (KMA). Seoul's March average is 6.1°C.

The Korea Tourism Organization notes that temperatures can drop in the morning and evening in March and suggests a light jacket or trench coat (VisitKorea). The 30-year averages are not a forecast. Check the KMA forecast in the week before you fly.

What to wear

  • A coat or thick jacket. Evenings in Seoul stay cold.
  • Layers. Afternoons feel warmer, especially in sunshine.
  • A scarf. Useful at the start of the month.
  • A mask for dust days. See yellow dust below.
  • An umbrella. Busan and Jeju average about 90 mm of precipitation.

Yellow dust

Dust blown from deserts in the north-west, 황사hwangsaYellow dust, is most common in spring. KMA statistics, as reported by The Korea Herald, show Seoul averaged 2.2 yellow dust days in March and 3.1 in April for 1991–2020. On bad days, check air quality in your map or weather app and wear a mask designed for fine particles. Indoor sights are a good backup.

Holidays

Date What happens
1 March 2027 (Mon) Independence Movement Day, 삼일절SamiljeolIndependence Movement Day, a public holiday

Source: KASI calendar data 2027. As 1 March is a Monday, the weekend of 27–28 February runs into a three-day break. Banks and government offices close on public holidays (VisitKorea). Seollal falls earlier, on 6–9 February 2027, so March is not a long-holiday month. See Korea in February.

The solar term 경칩GyeongchipAwakening of insects falls on 6 March 2027 and the spring equinox, 춘분ChunbunSpring equinox, on 21 March 2027 (KASI). Neither is a public holiday.

Events and flowers

No organizer had published 2027 dates when this page was written. The 2026 editions below show the usual timing.

  • Sansuyu flowers in Gurye. The Gurye Sansuyu Festival (산수유꽃축제sansuyu kkotchukjeCornelian cherry flower festival) ran 14–22 March 2026 in Jeollanam-do (VisitKorea).
  • Jeju cherry blossoms. The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival was listed for late March 2026, with no exact dates, along Jeonnong-ro, about a 10-minute drive from Jeju International Airport (VisitKorea).
  • Jinhae. The Jinhae Gunhangje ran 27 March to 5 April 2026 (VisitKorea). The 2027 dates are not announced. See the cherry blossom guide.
  • Seokchon Lake. Seoul Tourism Organization listed 29 March to 6 April for the 2026 festival (Seoul Tourism Organization).

Seoul's normal first-bloom date for cherry trees is 8 April (KMA), but in 2026 it came on 29 March. Late March can be early for Seoul and just right for the south.

Pink peach blossoms in bloom against a soft blurred background

Crowds and prices

The Korea Tourism Organization lists July to August and December to January as peak seasons (VisitKorea), so March is quieter for flights. Blossom spots fill on bloom weekends. Olive Young holds its O.Y SALE in March, as well as June, September and December (CJ OLIVE YOUNG), so its tourist-area stores are busier that week. See the shopping hub.

Where to go

  • Seoul: palaces and museums while evenings are cold. See the Seoul guide.
  • Busan: warmer, with highs near 13.8°C. See the Busan guide.
  • Jeju: first flowers, but wind and rain. See the Jeju guide.

Questions and answers

Is March warm in Korea?

Not in Seoul. The average low is 1.9°C. Busan and Jeju are milder.

Is 1 March a holiday?

Yes, in 2027 it is a Monday and a public holiday.

Will cherry blossoms be out in March?

In the south and Jeju, often in late March. Seoul normally blooms in early April. See the cherry blossom guide.

Next: Korea in April.

Official sources (12)

Last checked October 20, 2026Next check due November 19, 2026

Rules can change. Confirm on the official site before you travel.

Next stepKorea in April 2027: Cherry Blossoms, Weather and What to Pack

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