Climate, Flora & Fauna HomeUnderstand KoreaClimate, Flora & Fauna Climate Korea, even though surround by the ocean on three sides, features a continental climate. This is due to the fact that Korea is located in the far east of the Asian continent, and thus is under the influence of seasonal winds which result in hot summers and freezing cold in winters. The westerly winds, blowing from west to east high up in the atmosphere at a mid altitude, also contributes to the rather unique weather conditions in Korea. In winter, high northwesterly winds blow due to high atmospheric pressure developed over the Siberian region. The northwesterly winds, freezing cold and dry on extreme days, occasionally bring severe weather conditions as cold and as dry as those of polar areas. In summer, the hot air rising in the northern Pacific causes very humid and hot days similar to those experienced in tropical areas. In the Korea peninsula, which is sea-bound on three sides and has complicated geographical features, also has regional winds patterns. Northeasterly winds blowing in late spring and early summer are a typical regional wind. The northeasterly winds accompany drought due to the expanding Okhotsk sea air mass, which is extraordinarily hot and dry. The typhoons generated in the tropical areas between July and September accompany the high wind and heavy rainfall, often resulting in floods and causing great losses in the areas it affects. However, it can be beneficial in that it resolves problems with drought and red tides. The average annual precipitation in Korea is approximately 1200mm, higher than the global average of 970mm. There are big differences in rainfalls between areas of Korea thanks to rather complex topographical characteristics. (high rainfall in southern areas and low in the north). In addition, precipitation greatly differs according to any given years and season. Over 50% of the rainfall occurs in summer, causing great inconvenience to people¡¯s daily lives. The winter accounts for approximately only 10% of the total annual rainfall, but some regions have a high snowfall due to their geographical characteristics. The rainy season and typhoons often cause floods or landslides from concentrated rainfall, when they pass through. Four Seasons Korea, situated at a mid latitude, has four distinct seasons and the western region of the nation shows more clear contrasts between seasons than the eastern region. Along with other factors, the air mass, produced in areas surrounding the Korean peninsula, contribute to the distinctive characteristics of four seasons. Major air masses that influence the climate of the Korean peninsula are the cold and dry Siberia air mass, hot and humid Northern Pacific air mass, warm and dry Yangtze River air mass. The irregular tropical air mass brings typhoons in summer. When the Siberia air mass weakens, the warm and dry Yangtze River air mass starts to have an influence on the Korean peninsula, bringing warm and dry weather. However, the occasional expansion of the Siberian air mass causes unseasonably cold days. Alternating high and low atmospheric pressures pass over the Korean peninsula causing dramatic weather changes. Dry air tend to results in drought and many wild fires. "Yellow sand" dust known as hwangsa blows into Korea from Northern China early every spring. Following dry springs, summer starts with a rain front created between the hot and humid North Pacific air mass and cool and humid Okhotsk sea air mass. After the rainy season(characterized by heavy rain) high humidity and high discomfort index levels and scorching heat starts. Occasional showers help cool off the heat, but people still suffer tropical nights with temperatures rising to over 25¡É. Low atmospheric typhoons coming up to the Korean peninsula do great damage and cause property and human losses. Morning and evening temperatures drop due to moving high atmospheric pressure developed from the Siberian air mass. The Continental air mass brings dry and clear weather. Excepting the occasional typhoon and heavy rainfalls, autumn is the best season for harvest. With the expanding cold and dry Siberian air mass, northwestern winds which are cold and dry blow from the Asian Continent and bring bitterly cold and clear weather to Korea in winter. In some areas, the weakening Siberian high atmospheric pressure lets moving low atmospheric pressure through, causing heavy snowfalls. When the Siberian air mass weakens or jet streams have influence on Korea, occasionally warm days are added to the cold and dry winter weather. Though winter is very harsh in Korea, Korean ancestors were wise enough to develop means to adapt to bitterly cold days by making padded clothing, special heating systems, storing foods such as gimchi and building their houses to face south. Flora The Korean Peninsula's long north-south stretch and topographic complexity makes the land a diversified flora region. There are over 3600 flora species, including approximately 900 species of trees and 570 endemics currently growing in the country. Due to many wars waged on the peninsula and reckless deforestation, there are only a few forests that maintain their original shape in Korea and most of the current forests have been developed through nationwide efforts of reforestation. The temperature plays a greater role than rainfall in flora habitation and temperatures change according to latitude, providing a warm-temperate vegetation zone, temperate vegetation zone and cold-temperate vegetation zone moving from south to north.