SeasonScore
Gangneung, South Korea
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

South Korea

Gangneung in May

🌷 Spring

Pleasant and some showers.

Best months: May (9.1), Oct (8.9), Apr (8.8)

‹
Every month at a glanceTap a month to open it
›

Why May scores 9.1What goes into the score

How it works
🌡️ 23° / 13°C🌧️ 79 mm💧 dew pt 10°🍃 PM2.5 19
  • Weather comfort9.3
    • ✓Comfortable temperatures (23°C highs / 13°C lows)
    • ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point 10.2°C)
    • ✓Mostly dry (~79 mm rain)
  • Air quality7.8
    • ✓Moderate (PM2.5 ~19 µg/m³)
  • Seasonal hazards10.0
    • ·No notable seasonal hazards
  • Safety baseline9.0
    • ·Normal precautions
Compare monthsPut May side by side with another month
MayOct
Score9.1 Excellent8.9 Excellent
Season🌷 Spring🍂 Autumn
High / low23° / 13°20° / 12°
Rain79 mm114 mm
Humiditydew pt 10°dew pt 10°
PM2.519 µg/m³9 µg/m³

Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Gangneung weather-station normals. Rainfall: Gangneung weather-station normals (national met service).

Holidays & crowdsMay 2027

Long weekend

There's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.

  • Labor Day 1–3 May · 3 days off in a row

Other public holidays: Children's Day (5 May) · Buddha's Birthday (13 May)

National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).

Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Gangneung

  • 2026 forecast: Odaesan autumn leaves2026 forecast
    Peak ~16–25 Oct 2026

    Odaesan National Park is about 40 minutes from Gangneung.

    Source: Weather i 2026 autumn foliage forecast (4 Sep 2026)

  • Cherry blossomTypical dates
    First blooms ~4 Apr, full bloom about a week later

    Typical first-bloom date at the Gangneung weather-station tree (KMA 1991–2020 normal). In 2025 the first blooms came on 1 Apr; recent years have mostly been earlier than the normal. Weather i and KMA publish the next year's outlook in late February.

    Source: Weather i 2026 cherry blossom outlook (KMA normals and 2025 dates)

  • Snowy daysTypical dates
    Snow likely Dec–Mar (most in Jan: ~6 days)

    Average number of days with snowfall at Gangneung.

    Source: Gangneung weather-station normals (national weather service, via Wikipedia climate table)

Explore GangneungEvents, sights, food & souvenirs

Check event dates locally

A city on Korea's east coast with long beaches, a well-known coffee street, Joseon-era heritage houses and the UNESCO-recognised Danoje festival.

Events in May
Gangneung Danoje FestivalDate variesLunar calendar — around the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, usually late May to June

A UNESCO-listed festival of shamanic rites, mask drama, ssireum wrestling and a large market.

Why go: One of Korea's oldest and largest traditional festivals; free to attend.

Where: Along the Namdaecheon riverside

Coming up later

Gangneung Coffee FestivalDate variesUsually in October

A festival celebrating the city's coffee culture with roasteries, tastings and workshops.

Why go: Dates vary each year; check before going.

Where: Gangneung

New Year sunriseEvery year1 January every year

Crowds gather on the east coast beaches to watch the first sunrise of the year.

Why go: Roads and trains are extremely busy; book transport and lodging early.

Where: Jeongdongjin and Gyeongpo Beach

Plan this tripTickets, data and transfers for Gangneung

Airport transfer Kiwitaxi

Partner links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects scores.