Four Distinct Seasons of Korea

Korea, which is surrounded by three seas, has four distinct seasons every year.
First, spring is so warm and gentle. Forsythias let us know the coming of spring then, Koreans realize winter is over. But there is the last cold snap which is temporary cold after becoming warm and before the beginning of genuine spring for a while. It is one of the climate features of the Korean Peninsula. Korean students not only go back to school after a long winter vacation for about two and a half months, but also start school in spring contrary to American schools which start in autumn.
Secondly, summer is the rainy season, and it is intense hot and humid. For example, there are big damages as the crops are submerged because of heavy rain. On the other hand, many people say that “just sitting makes me sweat” in high humidity. And also when people are in summer lethargy, we say “you are affected by the heat.” To endure summer, traditionally Koreans eat health food such as “Samgyetang”, which is chicken broth with ginseng and other ingredients, during the hottest period of summer. We call the day “Sambok”, and there are three special days –the first hottest day, the second hottest day, and the last hottest day- settled on a calendar from old times.
Third, autumn is not only a little bit chill but also warm, but it is a different kind of warm than spring. Leaves are getting dyed colorfully, and some people pick out some pretty fallen leaves and put between papers of a book to keep the feeling of fall. Also, the sky is usually clear blue, and the air is fresh. That’s why people say “autumn is the best season for reading books.” On the other hand, some people go to picnic because the weather is so good to journey in. For that reason, there are heavy traffic jams on the road on weekends because of so many Koreans who are travelling and trying to enjoy the pleasant weather.
Lastly, winter is harsh cold and people need thick coats to go out. It feels like getting your skin cut by a sharp object. And when snow falls, snow freezes due to low temperatures during the night, and there is often big traffic accidents caused by sliding on the road. And there is piled snow on both sides of the road. Sometimes, a cold wave approaches like mountains of clouds and it drops plenty of snow, so some schools close temporarily because students can’t go to school because of so much. Whereas it makes some people happy who like winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding, it inconveniences many others.
The Korean peninsula has good fortune to experience all four seasons.