What is North Korea’s climate like during winter?

North Korea experiences a long, cold winter season that lasts from December to March. The country features a generally cool continental climate, characterized by significant temperature variations.1

During January, mean temperatures typically range from about 20 °F (−7 °C) in the south to −10 °F (−23 °C) in the northern interior. Due to the influence of mountain ranges and ocean currents, the east coast remains approximately 5 to 7 °F (3 to 4 °C) warmer than the west coast.1

Precipitation during the winter months is relatively low, occurring primarily as snow. While snowfall is generally light across much of the country, it can be locally heavy in areas such as the T’aebaek Mountains. The winter weather is largely influenced by continental polar air moving out of the Siberian anticyclone, contributing to the region's cold and dry winter conditions.12