Daejeon Weather
Overview
Daejeon Metropolitan City is an inland city located in the central part of the Korean Peninsula, exhibiting a temperate monsoon climate with distinct four seasons. The weather in Daejeon is characterized by cold and dry winters under the influence of the northwest monsoon, and hot and humid summers with heavy rainfall due to the North Pacific air mass. Notably, due to its basin topography, Daejeon experiences large diurnal temperature ranges and frequent fog in winter caused by radiative cooling.
Main Content
Climate Characteristics
Daejeon's annual average temperature is approximately 12.5°C, with the coldest month of January averaging -2.0°C and the hottest month of August averaging 25.6°C. The annual average precipitation is about 1,300mm, with summer (June to September) rainfall accounting for over 60% of the annual total. Due to its inland basin topography, Daejeon tends to have lower winter temperatures and higher summer temperatures compared to other cities at similar latitudes.
Seasonal Weather
- Spring (March to May): Under the influence of migratory anticyclones, there are many clear and dry days, but diurnal temperature ranges are large, and yellow dust (hwangsa) phenomena may occur. The average temperature in March is 5.6°C, gradually warming to 17.8°C in May.
- Summer (June to August): Influenced by the monsoon front (jangma), heavy rainfall occurs from late June to mid-July, followed by hot and humid weather due to the North Pacific high pressure. The average maximum temperature in August is 30.3°C, and tropical nights (with minimum temperatures above 33°C) frequently occur.
- Autumn (September to November): There are many clear and dry days, and diurnal temperature ranges widen again. October is the most pleasant time of the year, with autumn foliage at its peak. The average temperature in November drops sharply to 6.5°C.
- Winter (December to February): Cold and dry under the influence of the northwest monsoon, with cold waves occurring when the Siberian high pressure strengthens. The average minimum temperature in January is -6.8°C, and there are many days when the minimum temperature drops below -10°C. Precipitation is low, but occasional snowfall occurs due to troughs.
Major Weather Phenomena
- Monsoon (Jangma): Lasts from late June to mid-July, with an average monsoon precipitation of about 350mm in the Daejeon area. Recently, the monsoon period has become irregular, and the frequency of localized heavy rainfall is increasing.
- Typhoons: Mainly affect the region in August and September; direct landfalls are rare, but indirect effects can bring heavy rain. Typhoons 'Maysak' and 'Haishen' in 2020 caused significant damage in the Daejeon area.
- Yellow Dust (Hwangsa): Occurs mainly in spring (March to May), originating from the Inner Mongolia Plateau in China and flowing into Daejeon. Recently, the frequency and concentration of yellow dust have been increasing.
- Fog: Frequently occurs in winter and spring mornings; due to its basin topography, Daejeon has a higher fog frequency than the national average. Particularly dense fog often forms around the Gapcheon and Yudeungcheon streams.
Weather Observation
Weather observation in Daejeon began in earnest with the establishment of the Daejeon Meteorological Office (now Daejeon Regional Meteorological Administration) in 1969. Currently, the Daejeon Regional Meteorological Administration is located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, conducting 24-hour weather observation and forecasting. Major observation elements include temperature, precipitation, wind direction and speed, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and solar radiation, with real-time data collected through Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).
Latest Trends
Key changes in Daejeon weather from 2024 to 2025 are as follows:
- Temperature Rise: Due to global warming, Daejeon's annual average temperature has risen by about 1.2°C compared to 30 years ago. The increase is particularly notable in winter; the average temperature in January 2024 was -0.5°C, 1.5°C higher than the norm.
- Precipitation Pattern Changes: The monsoon period is shortening, but its intensity is increasing. In the summer of 2024, over 400mm of heavy rain fell in a short period in mid-July, causing flood damage.
- Increase in Tropical Nights: In August 2024, tropical night phenomena persisted for over 15 days, breaking the record for the longest duration. This is analyzed as a combined result of the urban heat island effect and climate change.
- Fine Dust: The frequency of high-concentration fine dust is increasing in winter and spring. In March 2024, there were more than five days when ultrafine dust (PM2.5) concentrations exceeded 150㎍/㎥.
- Weather Disaster Response: Since 2025, Daejeon City has established a 'Climate Crisis Adaptation Plan' to strengthen preparedness against heatwaves, cold waves, and heavy rainfall. In particular, it is promoting projects to improve drainage facilities in flood-vulnerable urban areas and expand green spaces to mitigate the heat island effect.
Related Topics
- [[Climate of the Korean Peninsula]]
- [[Climate Change]]
- [[Daejeon Metropolitan City]]
- [[Monsoon (Jangma)]]
- [[Heatwave]]
---
AI-generated document · Improved by the community