Korea Weather in November – What to Wear & Packing List (2026)

Hi friends! 🍂

Autumn in Korea is almost over, and the air already has that first little bite of winter in it.

Here's the short answer first:

November in Seoul usually runs from about 12°C (54°F) in the afternoon to about 3°C (37°F) at night.

Early November feels like crisp autumn. Late November feels like the start of winter.

So pack layers, one warm jacket, and a scarf — not a heavy ski parka.

Honestly, November is the month most visitors pack wrong.

I see it every year — people walking around Myeongdong shivering in a thin trench coat at 9 p.m., or sweating in a long puffer on a sunny 16°C afternoon.

Both are a waste. You either spend your trip cold, or you end up buying a jacket here that you didn't plan for.

Let me help you skip that. 😊

■ 1. Korea Weather in November at a Glance

The biggest thing to know: the difference between day and night is big.

A 9–10°C gap in one day is totally normal.

Average November weather (approx., Korea Meteorological Administration 1991–2020 normals)

City | Daytime high | Night low | Feels like

Seoul | ~12°C (54°F) | ~3°C (37°F) | Crisp → cold

Busan | ~18°C (64°F) | ~9°C (48°F) | Mild autumn

Jeju City | ~17°C (63°F) | ~10°C (50°F) | Mild but windy

Gangwon mountains (Pyeongchang, Seorak area) | ~9°C (48°F) | ~-3°C (27°F) | Already winter

💡 Tip: The south (Busan, Jeju) is clearly warmer than Seoul. If you're doing Seoul + Busan in one trip, pack for Seoul and just take layers off in Busan.

What about 2026?

On October 23, 2026, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) released its 3-month outlook.

It says this November has a 60% chance of being warmer than normal and a 50% chance of more rain than normal, mainly because of a strong El Niño.

So this year, expect a few surprisingly warm days — and pack a small umbrella just in case.

But "warmer than normal" doesn't mean "warm." Mornings and nights will still be cold.

■ 2. Early, Mid & Late November Are Different Trips

November changes fast. The first week and the last week feel like two different seasons.

📅 Early November (Nov 1–10)

Seoul: about 15°C day / 6°C night

Late autumn leaves are still around in parts of Seoul 🍁

Wear: long-sleeve top + light sweater + trench coat or light jacket

📅 Mid November (Nov 11–20)

Seoul: about 12°C day / 3°C night

The first ice usually shows up in early November, and the first snow in Seoul comes around November 20 on average (it's usually just a few flakes!)

Wear: knit sweater + light padded jacket (경량패딩, gyeong-nyang pae-ding) + scarf

📅 Late November (Nov 21–30)

Seoul: about 8°C day / 0°C night

This is when Koreans start pulling out their long winter puffers.

Wear: thermal underwear + sweater + warm coat or puffer + scarf + gloves

💡 Tip: Check the forecast 3 days before you fly. The weather app Koreans use most is Naver Weather (네이버 날씨, ne-i-beo nal-ssi), but any weather app works fine for Seoul.

■ 3. What to Wear: The Simple Layer Formula

Here's the formula I'd actually use:

Base layer → Middle layer → Outer layer → Accessories

Layer | What to bring | Why

Base | Thermal top or long-sleeve tee | Keeps you warm at night

Middle | Knit sweater, hoodie, or fleece | Easy to take off indoors

Outer | Trench coat (early Nov) / light padded jacket or wool coat (mid–late Nov) | Blocks the wind

Accessories | Scarf, beanie, light gloves | Small, but they save your night

Why layers and not one big jacket?

Because Korean buildings, cafés, and subways are warm inside. Really warm.

You'll go from 3°C on the street to 23°C in a café in seconds. Layers let you adjust fast.

💡 Tip: Korean words that help when shopping

• 목도리 (mok-do-ri) = scarf

• 장갑 (jang-gap) = gloves

• 내복 (nae-bok) = thermal underwear

• 패딩 (pae-ding) = padded / puffer jacket

Shoes: Comfortable sneakers are perfect. You'll walk 15,000+ steps a day.

If you're hiking in Seoraksan or Bukhansan, bring proper hiking shoes — trails can be icy in the morning by late November.

■ 4. November Packing List for Korea

👕 Clothes

☐ 2–3 long-sleeve tops

☐ 1–2 knit sweaters or hoodies

☐ 1 thermal top (2 if you're coming late November)

☐ Jeans or warm pants

☐ 1 warm outer (trench → padded jacket → wool coat or puffer, depending on dates)

☐ Scarf + light gloves + beanie

🎒 Small things people forget

☐ Compact umbrella (more rain is likely this November)

☐ Lip balm + hand cream (the air gets dry)

☐ A few face masks (fine dust, 미세먼지 mi-se-meon-ji, can rise on some days)

☐ Power bank (phones die faster in the cold)

☐ Comfortable walking shoes

💡 Tip: Forgot something? Don't panic.

Any convenience store (편의점, pyeon-ui-jeom) sells umbrellas, gloves, masks, and hand warmers (핫팩, hat-paek).

Hand warmers usually cost only about 1,000–2,000 won and they are a lifesaver at night markets.

■ 5. Worried About This?

Q. "Will it snow when I'm there?"

A. Probably not much. Seoul's first snow comes around November 20 on average, and it's usually light flurries that don't stay on the ground. If you want real snow, December–February is your season.

Q. "Do I really need a puffer jacket?"

A. Early November — no. Late November — yes, it's worth it, especially for evenings. Mid-November, a light padded jacket is enough for most people.

Q. "I'm only going to Busan and Jeju. Is it still cold?"

A. Much milder than Seoul. A light jacket and a sweater usually do the job. Jeju can be very windy though, so bring something windproof.

Q. "What if I pack wrong?"

A. Honestly, this is the easiest country to fix it in. Myeongdong, Hongdae, and big stores like Uniqlo, SPAO, and Daiso have cheap winter basics everywhere. Just don't plan to buy everything here — your first night out will be cold.

Q. "Is the indoor heating really that strong?"

A. Yes! Many homes and guesthouses have heated floors (온돌, on-dol). Bring at least one lighter top for sleeping.

■ Quick Summary

✅ Seoul in November: about 12°C day / 3°C night

✅ Early Nov = autumn, late Nov = early winter

✅ 2026 outlook: likely warmer and rainier than normal (KMA, Oct 23)

✅ Wear layers — indoor places are very warm

✅ Must-pack: warm outer, scarf, thermal top, small umbrella, lip balm

✅ Forgot something? Convenience stores have you covered

So, which week of November are you visiting Korea? 🍂

Tell me your dates in the comments and I'll tell you what jacket I'd bring!

If this helped, please follow the blog — I post new Korea travel tips every day. 😊

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