Hottest (avg)
#11 / 12
On the cooler side.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Darwin.
Wettest (avg)
#1 / 12
The wettest month of the year.
Daylight Hours
#2 / 12
Long daylight hours.
Windiest (avg)
#1 / 12
The breeziest month of the year.
Highest UV
#2 / 12
UV runs high compared with most months.
Most Humid
#2 / 12
Humidity sits on the higher side.
Monthly climate breakdown
A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for January.
Thermal profile
Temperature
Typical daytime high
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Light window
Sunshine
12.8 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 10
- Typical sun hours
- 06:32 - 19:18
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 29 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 88%
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
84%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through January in Darwin. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.
Primary control
Select a day
Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.
Secondary context
Monthly trend
Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range
Day 15 selected for January. Temperature 30.5°C.
Historical disruption baseline
Typical disruptions in January
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.
Humidity High impact
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Muggy conditions are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat High impact
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 89% of days (27.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
27.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~89% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~40°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~28 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity High impact
Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 89% of days (27.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
27.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~89% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Oppressive humidity is possible on ~27 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 66% of days (20.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
20.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~66% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~55mm (P95)
Why this matters
Rain disruption risk appears on ~20 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 64% of days (19.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
19.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~64% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~40°C (P95)
Why this matters
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~20 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 64% of days (19.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
19.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~64% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~40°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heat stress is possible on ~20 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Show all disruptions (29 more)
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 64% of days (19.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
19.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~64% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~56mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~20 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Heat High impact
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 64% of days (19.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
19.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~64% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot days are possible on ~20 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 48% of days (14.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
14.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~48% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~62mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~15 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 17% of days (5.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~17% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~95mm (P95)
Why this matters
Very heavy rain is possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 12% of days (3.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.9 days / month
- Share of days
- ~12% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Stormy conditions are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 3.4 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.4 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~65mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~87km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~123mm (P95)
Why this matters
Extreme rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~114km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~112km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Disruptive wind is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption run Measures: Multi-day wind disruption runs. Observed about 0.1 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day disruptive wind runs are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94% (P95)
Why this matters
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Moderate
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 2.1 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.1 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~32°C (P95)
Why this matters
Heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Moderate
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 1.9 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.9 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~39°C (P95)
Why this matters
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters
Warm nights are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
31.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~100% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Humid conditions are possible on ~31 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 97% of days (30.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
30.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~97% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~47mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~30 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 92% of days (28.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
28.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~92% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~29 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 92% of days (28.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
28.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~92% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~28 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 81% of days (25.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
25.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~81% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~24h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~25 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 80% of days (24.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
24.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~80% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~25 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 79% of days (24.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
24.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~79% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~91% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~24 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Heat Minor
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 78% of days (24.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
24.1 days / month
- Share of days
- ~78% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~28°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hot nights are possible on ~24 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 66% of days (20.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
20.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~66% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters
Convective risk signal appears on ~20 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 57% of days (17.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
17.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~57% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~18 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 41% of days (12.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
12.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~41% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~13 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~7% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94 (P95)
Why this matters
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 5% of days (1.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~5% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
0.2 days / month
- Share of days
- ~1% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~40km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
Is January a good time to visit Darwin?
Typical January days in Darwin reach highs of 30°C (86°F) with nights around 26°C (79°F). It usually feels hot by day and warm after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in January?
In January, you can usually expect highs of 30°C (86°F) and lows near 26°C (79°F). That means hot days and warm nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 446 mm (17.6 in) across roughly 29 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 13 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 06:32 and sunset near 19:18. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 10), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 12 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 54 km/h (34 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.