As March draws to a close, South Korea finds itself under a blanket of unsettled spring weather, with rain, strong winds, and fluctuating temperatures sweeping across the nation. From the rugged mountains of Gangwon Province to the bustling streets of Seoul and the coastal stretches of Jeonbuk, residents are bracing for a dynamic start to April, according to reports from the Korea Meteorological Administration and several regional weather bureaus.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Gangwon Province woke up to a mostly cloudy sky, with rain expected to persist until the afternoon. The anticipated rainfall is hardly uniform: the east coast and mountainous areas of Gangwon are forecast to receive between 10 and 50 millimeters, while the southern inland and central-northern inland can expect between 5 and 30 millimeters and 5 to 10 millimeters, respectively, as detailed by KW News. The weather isn’t letting up quickly, either. In some parts of Gangwon’s mountainous regions, light rain—about 5 millimeters—might even linger into the late afternoon of April 1.
Temperatures in Gangwon on March 31 are set to range from a morning low of 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, climbing to daytime highs between 9 and 19 degrees. Specific cities will see a slight variation: Gangneung is expected to hit 12°C, Pyeongchang 16°C, Yeongwol 17°C, Chuncheon and Cheorwon 18°C, and Wonju a relatively balmy 19°C. These figures, while modest, paint a picture of a region emerging from winter’s grip but not yet basking in full spring warmth.
It’s not just the rain that’s making headlines. From the early hours of March 31, the east coast of Gangwon is bracing for powerful winds, with gusts ranging from 35 to 60 kilometers per hour. Waves in these coastal waters are forecast to reach heights of 1.5 to 3.5 meters, raising the possibility of storm warnings. The central and northern offshore areas aren’t immune either, with winds expected to reach 20 to 45 kilometers per hour. Marine safety is a top concern, and authorities are urging extra caution for anyone venturing out to sea.
Safety on land is just as pressing. The Gangwon Meteorological Office didn’t mince words, advising drivers, “In areas where rain is falling, please maintain a sufficient safe distance and reduce your speed for traffic safety.” With visibility reduced and roads slick, it’s a timely reminder for motorists across the region.
Jeonbuk, in the country’s southwest, is experiencing a milder version of this turbulent weather. According to JBSori, rain is expected in some parts of Jeonbuk until the morning of March 31, with less than 5 millimeters forecast. Morning temperatures will hover between 8 and 11 degrees Celsius, with the day warming up to highs of 18 to 21 degrees. These morning lows are 1 to 3 degrees higher than the previous day, while daytime highs remain largely unchanged.
For those keeping an eye on the skies, sunrise in Jeonbuk will be at 6:19 AM and sunset at 6:53 PM. Meanwhile, the Gunsan offshore area will see high tides at 2:49 AM (619 cm) and 3:09 PM (641 cm), with low tides at 9:27 AM (45 cm) and 9:48 PM (51 cm). Air quality is expected to be moderate, with both fine dust and ultrafine dust levels rated as ‘normal.’ The western sea’s waves will be gentler, between 0.5 and 2.0 meters, offering some respite for coastal communities.
Nationally, the weather story is much the same, but with its own unique twists. The Public Times reports that most of the country will see rain in the early morning of March 31, with fine dust levels expected to worsen, particularly in Incheon and southern Gyeonggi, where conditions could be rated as ‘bad.’ In Seoul and northern Gyeonggi, the morning will also bring poor air quality, though other regions will benefit from the rain’s cleansing effect, keeping dust levels at ‘normal.’
The temperature spectrum across the country is broad. Morning lows are forecast between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius, with daytime highs ranging from 12 to 21 degrees. Some cities will see even warmer conditions: Seoul is expected to reach 21°C, Incheon 18°C, Suwon 20°C, Chuncheon 22°C, Gangneung 20°C, Cheongju 22°C, Daejeon 21°C, Sejong 20°C, Jeonju 20°C, Gwangju 21°C, Daegu 24°C, Busan 20°C, Ulsan 23°C, Changwon 22°C, and Jeju 18°C. It’s a patchwork of springtime warmth and lingering chill, depending on where you stand.
Rainfall will taper off for most regions by morning, but not everywhere. The Gangwon mountainous area, east coast, and northern Gyeongbuk east coast will continue to see showers into the afternoon. Expected rainfall for March 31 includes 5 to 10 millimeters in Seoul, Incheon, and northern Gyeonggi, 5 to 20 millimeters in southern Gyeonggi, 10 to 50 millimeters in Gangwon’s mountains and east coast, and 5 to 30 millimeters in the southern inland. Jeju Island faces its own challenges, with forecasts of gusty winds, thunder, and lightning, prompting warnings for facility management and personal safety.
Sea conditions are equally varied. The East Sea will see waves of 1.0 to 3.5 meters, the West Sea 0.5 to 2.0 meters, and the South Sea 0.5 to 3.0 meters. In offshore waters, waves could reach up to 4.0 meters in the East Sea, 3.5 meters in the West Sea, and 3.5 meters in the South Sea. These conditions underscore the need for caution among fishermen and anyone planning marine activities.
Looking ahead, April promises a continuation of this unsettled pattern. On April 1, rain is expected to return to Jeju in the late early morning and to the Gyeongsang region in the afternoon. Morning temperatures will dip to 5 to 11 degrees Celsius, with highs of 15 to 20 degrees. By April 2, most of the country will enjoy clearer skies, with morning lows between 2 and 11 degrees and highs from 15 to 21 degrees. The weekend outlook (April 3 to April 5) suggests more rain on Friday and Saturday, followed by a return to partly cloudy conditions as high pressure builds in. The following week (April 6 to April 9) is set to bring a mix of clouds and sunshine, with temperatures gradually rising to as high as 22 degrees Celsius.
As South Koreans navigate the ever-changing weather, one thing remains certain: spring’s arrival is anything but predictable. With rain, wind, and temperature swings all in play, preparation and caution are the orders of the day for communities from coast to coast.