 Korea has four distinct seasons. Spring
and autumn are rather short, summer is hot and humid, and
winter is cold and dry with abundant snowfall. Recently, global
climatic changes have been affecting the Korean Peninsula,
causing summers to be rainier and winters to be less snowy.
Temperatures differ widely from region to region within Korea,
with the average being between 6ºC (43ºF) and 16ºC
(61ºF). The average temperature in August, the hottest
period of the year, ranges from 19ºC(66ºF) to 27ºC
(81ºF), while that in January, the coldest month, ranges
from -8ºC(17ºF) to 6ºC (43ºF).
Early spring weather is somewhat unpredictable, with frequent
rain and gusty winds carrying "yellow sand dust"
from the deserts of northern China. But in mid-April, the
country enjoys balmy weather with the mountains and fields
garbed in brilliant wild flowers. Farmers prepare seedbeds
for the annual rice crop at this time.
Autumn, with its crisp air and crystal blue sky, is the season
most widely loved by Koreans. The countryside is particularly
beautiful, colored in a diversity of rustic hues. Autumn,
the harvest season, features various folk festivals rooted
in ancient agrarian custom. |
