Long-term observations were conducted between 1997 and 2002 to examine the variability of the vertical temperature structure in the Youngsan Estuary, southwest Korea, in summer. The observed hydrographic data revealed that the temperature minimum layer in the middle depth persisted through the entire summer of 2000 but was rarely observed in other years. The variability in the vertical structure might be affected by the air temperature during the previous winter and the density difference between the open sea and the estuary. In 2000, the air temperature in the previous winter was lowest and the horizontal density difference during summer was largest. The large horizontal density difference probably produced more active driving of warm water along the bottom, which would have intruded into the Youngsan Estuary. Furthermore, the cold previous winter would have provided a better condition for maintaining cold temperatures in the middle water layer for a longer period.