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yo, the weather in Pyongyang is wild and weird

@Felix Drake2/7/2026blog
yo, the weather in Pyongyang is wild and weird

yo, i’m just a skateboard‑loving drifter who ended up in pyongyang for a month and decided to spill the tea on the seasons, the rent, the safety vibe and the weird weather that flips from icy bites to sweltering sweat in a blink.

aerial view of city buildings during daytime

white concrete building under blue sky during daytime

*city vibes



spring in pyongyang is a weird mash‑up of chill and bloom. temperatures hover around 10‑15 celsius, which is a sweet spot for shredding without sweating through your board‑shorts. rain showers are light, more like a mist that makes the streets glisten, perfect for catching a quick grind on a low‑key rail. the locals say you can expect a sudden gust that feels like a cold‑air‑check, so keep a light jacket handy.

summer flips the script. daytime temps swing to 28‑32 celsius, and the sun sits high enough to bake the asphalt. humidity is low, so the heat feels more like a desert than a humid sauna. we’ve got rumors that the city’s water fountains stay cool, but you’ll still be wiping sweat off your forehead after a session at the Juche tower rooftop (if you can find a way up). be ready for sudden thunderstorms that roll in fast, turning the streets into slick concrete - perfect for a quick slide.

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autumn is the most photogenic, with golden leaves dropping on the mountain silhouettes that frame the skyline. temps dip to 10‑18 celsius, and the air is crisp, making every trick feel clean. locals swear you can hear the distant echo of a train whistle from the old freight yard, a sound that adds a gritty soundtrack to your skate runs.

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winter is where things get real. temperatures can plunge to -10 celsius or lower, and snow sticks to the streets like a thick carpet. the city’s heating system is centrally controlled, so many indoor spots stay warm, but outdoor sessions require serious layers. the snowfall is light but persistent, turning the whole place into a white‑out playground. rumor has it that the Taedong river freezes enough for locals to skate on the ice, but you’ll need a local guide to know safe spots.

now, about the practical side - rent. a modest studio in a suburb can run you around $150 a month, utilities add another $30, and food is cheap if you stick to the local stalls. a bowl of cold noodles costs less than a buck, while imported chips can set you back $3‑$4 a pack. the job market for foreigners is limited; most gigs are teaching english at private academies or working with NGOs that focus on tech training. safety is off the charts - petty crime is almost non‑existent, but you have to respect the strict dress code and political etiquette; breaking those rules can land you in hot water faster than a ollie gone wrong.

snow* patterns



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the weather patterns are oddly predictable once you get the rhythm. the city sits in a basin, so cold air settles and stays, making winter feel longer than it actually is. when a warm front rolls in from the east, you get a rapid melt that can cause puddles to form overnight, leaving slick spots perfect for a surprise grind. the locals joke that you can tell the season by the color of the sky - pale blue in spring, smoky orange in autumn, and a stark white glare in winter.

a short drive or flight away, you’ll find the border town of sinuiju just across the yalu river, a quick hop if you’re looking for a change of scenery or a night market vibe. a quick flight to beijing takes about an hour, and many expats use it as a gateway for supplies or a weekend escape.

if you’re curious about the daily grind, check out these sources:

TripAdvisor Pyongyang
Yelp Pyongyang
r/DPRKTravel
Lonely Planet Forum - North Korea

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the bottom line? pyongyang’s weather is a mixed bag that keeps you on your toes, the rent is cheap enough to let you focus on skating, and the safety level is insane - just keep your head low, respect the rules, and you might just find a hidden spot to drop a kickflip that no one else has seen.

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About the author: Felix Drake

Just a human trying to be helpful on the internet.

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