Gwangju in January
In January, Gwangju averages 5°C (41°F) during the day and -3°C (26°F) at night, with around 5 days of rain (31 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cold — pack winter layers. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.
January in Gwangju is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in Gwangju
January is one of the coolest months in Gwangju (12th of 12) and one of the driest months (10th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 13°C below the annual average (19°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (7°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (8°C).
January sunrise & sunset in Gwangju
Times shown for Gwangju local time (Asia/Seoul), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Gwangju — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Gwangju's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Gwangju in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Gwangju's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in Gwangju
Gwangju is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January in Gwangju
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
🌬 Frosty nights — Gwangju in January
Gear: Cold nights, milder days. Light insulated jacket fine for daytime, real coat for after dark.
Gwangju in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 41°F | -3°C / 26°F | 31 mm | 5 | — |
| February | 8°C / 46°F | -2°C / 28°F | 27 mm | 5 | — |
| March | 14°C / 57°F | 2°C / 36°F | 65 mm | 7 | — |
| April | 19°C / 66°F | 7°C / 45°F | 101 mm | 8 | — |
| May | 24°C / 76°F | 13°C / 55°F | 95 mm | 8 | — |
| June | 28°C / 82°F | 18°C / 64°F | 154 mm | 12 | — |
| July | 29°C / 85°F | 22°C / 72°F | 268 mm | 17 | — |
| August | 30°C / 86°F | 23°C / 73°F | 218 mm | 16 | — |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 151 mm | 11 | — |
| October | 20°C / 69°F | 10°C / 51°F | 70 mm | 5 | — |
| November | 14°C / 58°F | 4°C / 40°F | 59 mm | 6 | — |
| December | 7°C / 44°F | -2°C / 29°F | 34 mm | 6 | — |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Gwangju in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Gwangju in January?
In January, Gwangju averages a high of 5°C (41°F) and a low of -3°C (26°F) — generally cold.
Does it rain a lot in Gwangju in January?
January sees occasional rain in Gwangju, with about 5 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit Gwangju?
January is cold and mostly dry. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Gwangju in January?
Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full January packing list for Gwangju for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.