January · North Korea
Best time to visit Pyongyang in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Pyongyang in January
Average temperature -5°C, 15 mm of rain, about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 61% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
6.2/10
Ranked #10 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -5°C
- Rainfall
- 15 mm
- Humidity
- 61%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 25
- Crowd Density
- Moderate Crowds
- Average Expenses
- $$ · Moderate Cost ($$)
January in Pyongyang scores 6.2/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - ranked #10 of 12. Expect around -5°C, 15 mm of rain, and roughly 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Pyongyang is North Korea's monumental capital on the Taedong River, known for vast civic spaces, museums, memorials, and carefully managed visitor routes.
January in Pyongyang — workable with trade-offs
At -5°C (23°F) this is proper winter weather in January: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
Only 15 mm of water-equivalent precipitation is expected (snow at altitude), leaving about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 9.8 hours of daylight.
That is 6.2/10 on the same scale — 10th of 12 months, versus 8.6/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip.
Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.
If your dates are flexible, April is materially better in Pyongyang — 2.4 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Pyongyang in January?
- In January, Pyongyang averages -5°C, 15 mm of rain, and about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 6.2/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Pyongyang?
- January earns a 6.2/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Pyongyang in January?
- Expect about 15 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 61% and there are about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Pyongyang
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Pyongyang
Pyongyang, North Korea. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.