Daegu Weather
Overview
The most distinctive feature of Daegu's weather is the extreme temperature variation arising from its basin topography, surrounded on all sides by mountains. In summer it becomes one of the country's leading heat-wave cities, while in winter temperatures fall significantly lower than in other areas at the same latitude, resulting in a very large annual temperature range. The average annual temperature is around 13°C and annual precipitation is about 1,000–1,100 mm, somewhat lower than the national average, with a substantial portion of precipitation concentrated in summer.
Main Content
Relationship Between Topography and Climate
Daegu is a typical basin city surrounded by the Sobaek Mountain Range and mountains such as Palgong Mountain and Biseul Mountain. Heat received by the surface during the day cannot escape because it is blocked by the mountains and accumulates at the basin floor, while weak winds prevent the heat from mixing well. Conversely, on clear winter nights, cold air descends along mountain slopes and pools at the basin floor, producing a 'cold air lake' phenomenon that makes morning minimum temperatures lower than in plains at the same latitude. Because of this topographic effect, Daegu holds among the highest national records for both summer maximum temperatures and winter minimum temperatures.
Temperature: Summer Heat Waves and Winter Cold Snaps
- Years with an annual temperature range exceeding 28°C are common; the January average is around 0°C, and the August average exceeds 26°C.
- Daegu's all-time highest temperature is 40.0°C (August 1, 1942), which remains the highest record in the history of Korean meteorological observations.
- In winter, cold snaps below -10°C frequently occur on days with strong radiative cooling, and historically extreme values around -20°C have also been observed.
- In spring and autumn, there are many clear days, and days with a diurnal temperature range of 10°C or more are common.
Precipitation and Seasonal Weather
- Precipitation is concentrated in the jangma rainy season from late June to August, typhoons, and convective showers (tropical downpours); in some years more than half of annual precipitation falls during the summer season alone.
- Spring is dry and windy, so days with high yellow dust and fine particulate matter concentrations are frequent, and dry weather advisories are often issued.
- Autumn is influenced by migratory high-pressure systems and has many clear, crisp days, making it the most stable season of the year.
- Winter precipitation is low, but when the continental high pressure expands, snow clouds formed over the West Sea can flow inland and bring snow.
Structure of Summer Heat Waves
Daegu's heat waves go beyond simple high temperatures and appear together with tropical nights and ultra-tropical nights (minimum nighttime temperature of 25°C or higher), as well as the urban heat island effect. In the city center, where high-rise apartments and commercial districts are concentrated, nighttime temperatures remain 2–3°C higher than in the suburbs, creating a vicious cycle in which heat cannot escape overnight. For this reason, Daegu is classified as a city with a high incidence of heat-related illnesses, and operating heat shelters and responding to heat wave advisories become key administrative tasks repeated every year.
Observation and Forecasting
Meteorological observations in Daegu date back to the early 20th century, making it one of the locations with the longest observation history in Korea. Currently, the Daegu Regional Meteorological Office of the Korea Meteorological Administration is responsible for forecasts and advisories, and heat wave, cold wave, and heavy rain advisories are issued in stages. In summer, heat wave advisories based on 'feels-like temperature' and in winter, cold wave advisories based on 'feels-like temperature' directly affect citizens' lives.
Recent Trends
In 2024–2025, Daegu was a region where prolonged heat waves and an increase in tropical night days were clearly observed. As years repeat in which the maximum temperature rises to around 39°C in August and tropical nights continue for dozens of days, phenomena once classified as 'exceptional abnormal climate' are becoming virtually an annual routine. Researchers have presented analyses indicating that Daegu is shifting from a warm humid climate (Cfa) toward characteristics closer to a subtropical climate, and scenarios suggest that the number of heat wave days and tropical night days will increase significantly toward the late 21st century.
Accordingly, the Daegu Metropolitan City government and related institutions are pursuing expansion of heat wave shelters, cool roofs and heat-reflective pavement, creation of street tree shade, visit-based management for vulnerable groups, and strengthening of emergency response systems for heat-related illnesses. In addition, responses to autumn drought, spring fine particulate matter and yellow dust, and preparation for river flooding during torrential downpours are also being strengthened. Daegu is often cited as a representative case in which climate change is changing the city's daily life and the very design standards of its infrastructure.
Related Topics
- [[대구광역시]]
- [[폭염]]
- [[열대야]]
- [[기후 변화]]
- [[열섬 현상]]
- [[기상청]]