HAN RIVER · WATER TEMPERATUREAs the sun leans low,the water stretches with it

2026.11.11 · 16:08 KST

13.4℃

A cool season moves slowly through the river.

Seonyu · 2026.11.11 · 15:00 (KST)

0.3°C warmer than this time yesterday

Nodeul · nowMidday on NodeulSit on the lawn and watch the sunset and trainsWalk in

“While there's life, there's hope.” — Cicero

Temperatures along the river

Seoul’s published observations for the Han River and its tributaries are: Tancheon 17.5°C (2026.11.11 · 15:00 KST); Jungnang 13.1°C (2026.11.11 · 15:00 KST); Anyangcheon 18.3°C (2026.11.11 · 15:00 KST); Seonyu 13.4°C (2026.11.11 · 15:00 KST). Each value was measured at the time shown; it is not a river-wide average or the current temperature at every location.

The latest published observations from Seoul’s automatic water-quality monitoring network. Temperatures vary between the river and its tributaries; these are not a river-wide average.

Seonyu Main river13.4°C

Observed at · 2026.11.11 · 15:00 (KST)

Source: Seoul Open Data Plaza — Han River and major tributary water-quality readingsMake a card with this reading →
Tancheon Tributary17.5°C

Observed at · 2026.11.11 · 15:00 (KST)

Source: Seoul Open Data Plaza — Han River and major tributary water-quality readingsMake a card with this reading →
Jungnang Tributary13.1°C

Observed at · 2026.11.11 · 15:00 (KST)

Source: Seoul Open Data Plaza — Han River and major tributary water-quality readingsMake a card with this reading →
Anyangcheon Tributary18.3°C

Observed at · 2026.11.11 · 15:00 (KST)

Source: Seoul Open Data Plaza — Han River and major tributary water-quality readingsMake a card with this reading →

These provisional readings are published hourly. Maintenance or publication delays can leave older readings in place; compare each observation time with the current time.

Source: Seoul Open Data Plaza — Han River and major tributary water-quality readings

Han River Water Temperature is an independent service presenting Seoul’s public data, not an official Seoul government website. Measurements come from Seoul’s automatic water-quality monitoring network; the original dataset is linked above.

Han River freeze watch · SINCE 1906

When will the Han River freeze this winter?

60 days until the normal freeze date (Jan 10).

The Korea Meteorological Administration calls the river frozen when the strip of water about 100 m upstream of Hangang Bridge, between its second and fourth piers, is completely covered with ice and no water can be seen. Ice thickness does not matter. It has watched the same spot since 1906, and Nodeul Island sits right beside it.

Until the normal freeze date
60 days
Normal: Jan 10
Water temperature now
13.4°C
Seonyu station (main river), downstream of Hangang Bridge · fresh water freezes at 0°C
Last winter's freeze
Jan 3
7 days earlier than normal

First freeze of the last ten winters

  1. Winter 2025–26: froze on Jan 3
  2. Winter 2024–25: froze on Feb 9
  3. Winter 2023–24: froze on Jan 26
  4. Winter 2022–23: froze on Dec 25
  5. Winter 2021–22: no freeze
  6. Winter 2020–21: froze on Jan 9
  7. Winter 2019–20: no freeze
  8. Winter 2018–19: froze on Dec 31
  9. Winter 2017–18: froze on Dec 15
  10. Winter 2016–17: froze on Jan 26

The earliest freeze on record was in 1934 (Dec 4) and the latest in 1964 (Feb 13). In nine winters since observation began the river never froze; since 2000 those were the winters of 2006, 2019 and 2021.

This is not a forecast. It shows the dates and the normal value published by the KMA; this winter's freeze is added once the KMA announces it.

Sources: KMA press release, "First Han River freeze of this winter" (Feb 9, 2025) · KMA press release (Dec 25, 2022) · KMA announcement of Jan 3, 2026 (as reported by Financial News)

Look at the river from Nodeul Island, beside the observation point

Where shall we go today?

Choose a favourite park and check official information before you go.

Your park is remembered on this device. Links open official Korean guidance. Park selection is separate from the water monitoring station; these links do not guarantee live parking availability or open access.

Han River water temperature FAQ

How is the Han River water temperature measured?
Seoul publishes hourly observations from its automatic water-quality monitoring network through the Seoul Open Data Plaza. This site presents each station’s published reading and observation time.
Is it safe to swim in the Han River?
Water temperature alone cannot determine whether entering the river is safe. Check restricted and hazardous areas and follow on-site guidance. Swim only in managed facilities or programs and follow safety staff instructions.
How does the Han River water temperature change by season?
Water temperature varies with the season, monitoring location, weather, and water discharge. Check the table above for each station’s latest published observation and its measurement time.
How often is this site's data updated?
The site displays the latest hourly value published by Seoul. Check the observation time in the table for the exact reference time. Unavailable values are marked as under maintenance or missing. An older reading can remain during a delay, so always check its observation time.
  1. Wherever the wind has passed,the water briefly wears another face
  2. The city drags its shadow onward;the river holds on to nothing
  3. Watching something flow far away,the heart forgets its edges for a while
  4. Bright things do not linger long,so we keep looking
  5. Noon light breaks apart,and a thousand afternoons float on the river
  6. It is all right to pause for a whileeverything that flows finds its own way