2. Climate
The Korean peninsula, which is situated at the eastern edge of the Eurasian continent, lies between 33 ¡Æand 43 ¡Ænorth latitude. With the Taebaeksan mountain range forming the backbone of the Korean peninsula, Korea has a diverse climate in spite of its small size. It lies in the temperate zone, and has four distinct seasons as well as diverse topography.
Although Korea has the general characteristics of a continental climate, it has monsoonal weather in summer. It is bitterly cold and dry in winter due primarily to the Siberian air mass. Torrential rains fall during the rainy season that begins in late June, often causing severe damage to property and loss of life. It is hot and humid in July and August due primarily to the maritime Pacific high. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, are generally sunny and clear, although they are short in comparison to winter and summer and have distinct weather patterns.
- Spring : Mostly clear and dry days. Temperature ranges from 16¡É to 19¡É in May.
- Summer : Hot and humid. Temperature ranges from 23¡É to 27¡É in August. Daytime highs are usually over 30¡É in mid-summer. Also, two to three typhoons usually hit Korea during this season. Fifty to sixty percent of the annual precipitation comes in summer. Monsoon season (heavy rain season) starts in June and lasts about 30 days. High humidity in both July and August.
- Fall : A little cooler than spring but still mostly clear and dry days. Temperature ranges from 11¡Éto 19¡É in October.
- Winter : Cold and dry. January is the coldest month of the year. Temperature ranges from -6¡Éto 7¡É in January. Most of the snowfall occurs in mountainous areas with little snow in urban areas.
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