When Does Winter Start In Korea Verified

That night, Minjun wrote in his journal: Winter in Korea starts three times—by tradition on November 7 or 8, by astronomy on December 21 or 22, and by weather on December 1. But for Harabeoji, it starts the moment you put on your first pair of long underwear and hear the ajummas on the street say, ‘It’s really cold now.’

His grandfather smiled. “No. Winter starts when you decide to notice it. In Korea, it arrives like a quiet guest—first as a whisper in November, then as a promise in December. But if you really want one answer for your friends?” He tapped Minjun’s notebook. “Tell them: meteorological winter in Korea begins December 1. That’s what weather forecasters use. Average temperatures drop below freezing, and the first snow usually falls in Seoul around mid-December.” when does winter start in korea

He underlined the last sentence: That was November 18 this year. And I think that’s the real answer. That night, Minjun wrote in his journal: Winter

While November and December are the "start," winter doesn't show its true teeth until later. Winter starts when you decide to notice it