When to go · Sokcho
Sokcho in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (rain and crowds), Jan–Feb (cold, icy trails).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) / −5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 5
- Crowds
- Low
- South Korea overall
- Prices
- Low
- South Korea overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (rain and crowds), Jan–Feb (cold, icy trails).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- SokchoHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -5 °C (23 °F), rain on about 5 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 23 °F (-5 °C), rain on about 5 days
- Gangwon mountains and east coast, South Korea · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangcool
Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Seollal (Lunar New Year) big impact
About 5–8 Feb 2027 (lunar; incl. substitute day — check) · South Korea
Three-plus days off: many restaurants and shops close, trains and buses sold out, palaces open (often free), Seoul quiet.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · South Korea overall
- Low
- Prices · South Korea overall
- Low
South Korea overall: Cold and dry, low prices; ski in Gangwon; Seollal can fall late in the month — check.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Sokcho, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
May: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
May: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 5 (better)
May: 8
Crowds
Jan: Low
May: High
Prices
Jan: Low
May: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
May: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jul–Aug (rain and crowds), Jan–Feb (cold, icy trails).
May: Inside Sokcho's best window: May–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Sokcho: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket