A highland pass roughly 800m above sea level, Daegwallyeong has weather clearly distinct from the rest of Gangwon — a cool climate even in midsummer, thick fog that often blankets the summit, and a freeze once recorded as late as June. Here's a breakdown of Daegwallyeong's weather, historical records, and seasonal tips.
Daegwallyeong is a highland pass atop the Taebaek mountain range, also marking the boundary between Gangwon's Yeongseo and Yeongdong regions. Its elevation often makes it 5-10°C cooler than the lowlands, and its mountainous terrain means clouds frequently settle over the summit, bringing thick fog.
As a highland roughly 800m above sea level, it's often 5-10°C cooler than the lowlands. Even midsummer mornings and evenings can feel chilly, making it known for highland cabbage farming and as a summer retreat.
Its mountainous terrain means clouds often settle over the summit, bringing thick fog. Visibility can drop sharply on the Yeongdong Expressway's Daegwallyeong section and the old Daegwallyeong road, so slow down while driving.
On the morning of June 1, 2010, the low temperature dropped to -1.7°C — the latest date in Korea's weather-observation history that a below-freezing temperature was recorded, illustrating the highland's wide temperature swings.
Spring here can see frost and freezing conditions linger later than in the lowlands, and summer draws crowds as a cool highland retreat. Autumn frost arrives earlier than elsewhere, and winter brings heavy snow and strong winds as ski season begins. For general season-by-season tips, see the seasonal outdoor guide.
Based on official KMA observations at the Daegwallyeong Weather Station.
| Record | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Record high | 32.9°C | 2018-07-22 |
Bring a jacket even in midsummer, since mornings and evenings can turn chilly, and on days with a fog advisory, slow down significantly on the Yeongdong Expressway's Daegwallyeong section and the old road. In spring and autumn, don't judge conditions by the lowland forecast alone — check the highland temperature separately. For general threshold-by-threshold guidance on UV, feels-like temperature, and fine dust, see what to do.
Because Daegwallyeong's temperature differs so much from the lowlands, a general Gangwon forecast may not be enough. Before a trip or hike, search for and add "Daegwallyeong-myeon" in sanCheck to check highland weather and outdoor-activity scores ahead of time.