Warmer temperatures are ushering in cherry blossom season in Seoul and central South Korea this week, painting the country in shades of pink following early blooms in the south.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), daytime highs will hover around a mild 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) through the weekend under the influence of high pressure, with warm westerly winds pushing temperatures higher.
Cherry blossoms typically begin to bloom when the average daily temperature exceeds 5.5°C (41.9°F). With the cold snap easing and spring conditions settling in, nationwide temperatures are expected to remain above this threshold through April 11. In Seoul, the morning low on April 1 was 3.9°C (39°F), while the high reached 16.9°C (62.4°F). The city’s average daily temperature is forecast to stay around 9-10°C (48-50°F) through the weekend.
Further south, cherry blossoms are already reaching their peak. Jeju Island saw full bloom on March 27, five days earlier than last year. In Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex, cherry trees reached full bloom on April 1, just five days after first blooming. Other popular cherry blossom sites—including Namcheon-dong in Busan, Yeojwacheon Stream in Jinhae, Ssanggyesa Temple in Hadong, and Baekri Cherry Blossom Road in Yeongam—are expected to follow soon.
Scattered rain is forecast for April 2-3 due to unstable atmospheric conditions caused by large temperature swings. Light showers of around 5 mm are expected across the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang provinces. Some mountainous areas in Gangwon could see up to 1 cm of snowfall. Another round of rain is expected on April 5, affecting central regions and parts of North Jeolla and North Gyeongsang, though meteorologists say it is unlikely to be strong enough to disrupt the blossoms. Dry and clear weather is expected from April 6-11.
Meanwhile, dry weather advisories remain in effect for several regions, including Seoul, North Gyeongsang, North Chungcheong, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, and Ulsan, amid ongoing wildfire recovery efforts in southeastern South Korea. Parts of Gyeonggi, Gangwon, South Jeolla, North Jeolla, and South Gyeongsang provinces are also under advisories.
