Skip to content
Uhwajeong Pavilion in Naejangsan surrounded by autumn leaves

Korea in November 2026: Weather, Late Foliage and What to Wear

Photo: Tung Thanh Dang, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Naejangsan Pavilion 1.jpg

Checked against official sources on October 20, 2026

Summary

November is cool and dry. Seoul averages 7.5°C, with an average high of 11.9°C, an average low of 3.5°C and 51.1 mm of precipitation (KMA normals 1991–2020). Foliage peaks move south: Naejangsan and Hallasan are forecast for early to mid-November. There is no public holiday in November 2026. Bring a warm jacket or coat, and expect frost and the first snow late in the month.

At a glance

Seoul average
7.5°C
Average high
11.9°C
Average low
3.5°C
Precipitation
51.1 mm
First snow (Seoul)
around 20 November
Holidays
no public holiday in November

Details

November is the end of the autumn season. Leaves are still turning in the south and on Jeju, Seoul turns cold, and winter events begin to be announced. Because this guide is written on 20 October 2026, dates here are the ones organizers had posted by then.

Weather in November

City Average high (°C) Average low (°C) Precipitation (mm)
Seoul 11.9 3.5 51.1
Busan 16.6 8.3 50.4
Jeju City 16.4 10.4 69.5

Source: KMA climate normals 1991–2020, stations 108, 159 and 184 (KMA). Seoul's November average is 7.5°C.

In a normal year Seoul's first frost comes around 28 October, first ice around 3 November and first snow around 20 November (KMA). These are averages, not a forecast. Check the KMA forecast in the week before you fly.

What to wear

  • A warm jacket or light coat. A heavy down coat is rarely needed before December.
  • Layers. Subways, shops and cafés are heated.
  • A scarf and gloves. Useful for evenings and for mountains.
  • Waterproof shoes with grip. Fallen leaves are slippery when wet.
  • Moisturizer and lip balm. The air gets dry.

Busan and Jeju are milder, with highs around 16°C, but wind can make the coast feel colder.

Foliage in November 2026

By November the peak has moved south. The Korea Forest Service forecasts these peaks: Naejangsan 4 November (maple trees), Hallasan 6 November and Jindo Natural Recreation Forest around 17 November (Maeil Shinmun). The Korea Tourism Organization's forecast, from the private forecaster Weatheri, gives Naejangsan on 11 November and Hallasan on 13 November (VisitKorea). The two forecasts conflict by about a week, so use both as a range. Details are in the autumn foliage guide.

Red-pillared palace halls with dark tile roofs and a mountain behind in late autumn

One practical limit: the upper sections of Seoraksan, from Biseondae Canyon to Daecheongbong Peak, are closed from 15 November to 15 December for forest fire prevention (VisitKorea).

Holidays and exams

KASI lists no public holiday in November 2026 (KASI). Banks and offices work as usual.

The national university entrance exam, 수능suneungCollege entrance exam, is scheduled for Thursday 19 November 2026, according to the exam plan announced by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation and reported by Herald Business. It is not a public holiday.

Events and festivals

Dates are listed only where an organizer has posted them.

  • Seoul Autumn Festa. Visit Seoul lists the program running to 29 November 2026 (Visit Seoul).
  • Kimchi-making festival, Yeoju. The Sanbuk kimchi festival (김장gimjangKimchi making) in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, is listed for 7–8 November 2026, 09:00–18:00, with free admission. The organizer says it may change (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
  • Seoul Lantern Festival. As of 20 October 2026 the official site still showed only the 2025 edition, which ran along Cheonggyecheon stream from Cheonggye Plaza to Samil Bridge. We found no 2026 dates. Check stolantern.com.

For other events, see the Korea Tourism Organization's festival listings.

Crowds and prices

November is not on the Korea Tourism Organization's list of peak seasons, which names July to August and December to January (VisitKorea). Flight prices tend to rise toward December, so book early if your trip runs into the holidays. See Korea in December.

Where to go

An autumn park in Seoul with bare trees, fallen leaves and a bench

Questions and answers

Is November cold in Korea?

Cool to cold. Seoul's average low is 3.5°C and frost is normal by the end of October. Bring a warm jacket.

Is it too late for autumn colors in November?

No. The southern mountains and Jeju peak in the first half of November.

Does it snow in November?

Seoul's first snow normally falls around 20 November, but heavy snow is uncommon.

Next: Korea in December.

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 December 2026: Weather, Christmas and What to Pack

Related guides

Something out of date? Tell us