Avg High
Melbourne in January
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h
What to expect
January in Melbourne is mid-summer, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Melbourne.
Hottest (avg)
#1 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#5 / 12
Daylight Hours
#2 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#6 / 12
Highest UV
#1 / 12
Most Humid
#12 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 14.4 h
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 06:15 - 20:41
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 9 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 51%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 64%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 25.2°C and low 14.8°C.
Typical disruptions in January
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.
Heat High impact
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 23% of days (7.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.2 days / month
~23% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.2 days / month
- Probability ~23% of days
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~7 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.5 days / month
~21% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.5 days / month
- Probability ~21% of days
- Intensity Up to ~40°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~7 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.2 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.2 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~42°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.2 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.2 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears 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 10% of days (3.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.0 days / month
~10% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.0 days / month
- Probability ~10% of days
- Intensity Up to ~79km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 9% of days (2.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.9 days / month
~9% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.9 days / month
- Probability ~9% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (23 more)
Heat High impact
Very hot days Measures: Very hot days (>=35C). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.5 days / month
~8% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.5 days / month
- Probability ~8% of days
- Intensity Up to ~43°C (P95)
Very hot days are possible on ~3 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 6% of days (1.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.8 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.8 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 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 3% of days (0.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.9 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.9 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~79km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat High impact
Extreme heat days Measures: Extreme heat days (>=40C). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~44°C (P95)
Extreme heat is possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.5 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~33mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 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 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Moderate
Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~0 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 70% of days (21.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
21.6 days / month
~70% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 21.6 days / month
- Probability ~70% of days
- Intensity Up to ~69km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~22 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 39% of days (12.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.2 days / month
~39% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.2 days / month
- Probability ~39% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 37% of days (11.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.5 days / month
~37% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.5 days / month
- Probability ~37% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~11 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 25% of days (7.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.8 days / month
~25% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.8 days / month
- Probability ~25% of days
- Intensity Up to ~17h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~8 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 19% of days (5.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.8 days / month
~19% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.8 days / month
- Probability ~19% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~6 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 15% of days (4.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.8 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.8 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
~7% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability ~7% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~2 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.9 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.9 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~2 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 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~1 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Heat Minor
Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.7 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~41°C (P95)
Heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~27°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Heat Minor
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.7 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~42°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~21°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~1 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 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~28km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Minor
Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Heat Minor
Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~29°C (P95)
Hot nights are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Melbourne?
Typical January days in Melbourne reach highs of 26°C (79°F) with nights around 15°C (59°F). It usually feels warm by day and cool after dark. Overall, January sits in the middle of the Melbourne climate range.
What are temperatures like in January?
Daytime temperatures in January typically peak near 26°C (79°F), while nights drop to around 15°C (59°F). Expect warm afternoons and cool evenings.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 54 mm (2.1 in) across roughly 9 days. Overall it is a moderately wet time of year, so showers are usually brief rather than all-day downpours.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 06:15 and sunset near 20:41. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 59 km/h (37 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.