Monthly climate guide

São Paulo in January

January in São Paulo 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. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. There is plenty of daylight to stretch outdoor time.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

January in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in São Paulo.

Hottest (avg)
WARMER
#2 / 12

One of the warmer months.

Wettest (avg)
WETTEST
#1 / 12

The wettest month of the year.

Daylight Hours
LONGER
#2 / 12

Long daylight hours.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#7 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#1 / 12

Peak UV levels for the year.

Most Humid
HUMID
#2 / 12

Humidity sits on the higher side.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

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

13.4 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
10
Typical sun hours
05:33 - 18:56

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
26 days
Cloud cover (avg)
79%

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 São Paulo. 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

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for JanuaryMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.152025303511631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for January. Temperature 27.4°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.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 46% of days (14.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.2 days / month

Share of days
~46% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~14 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 43% of days (13.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.3 days / month

Share of days
~43% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~32mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat High impact

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 35% of days (10.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.7 days / month

Share of days
~35% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~11 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity High impact

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 31% of days (9.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.5 days / month

Share of days
~31% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 26% of days (8.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.1 days / month

Share of days
~26% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~35mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~8 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 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 ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Show all disruptions (21 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 3.1 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.1 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~35mm (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.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.6 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~43mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very 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 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~62km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 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 ~75km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts 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 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.8 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Moderate

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 11% of days (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
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days are possible on ~3 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Moderate

Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.6 days / month

Share of days
~5% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~38°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heat stress is 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 1.3 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.3 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). 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 ~26mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~28 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 83% of days (25.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

25.6 days / month

Share of days
~83% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~26 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 81% of days (25.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

25.1 days / month

Share of days
~81% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~25 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 80% of days (24.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

24.9 days / month

Share of days
~80% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

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 80% of days (24.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

24.8 days / month

Share of days
~80% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~92% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~25 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 60% of days (18.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.6 days / month

Share of days
~60% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~19 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 60% of days (18.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.5 days / month

Share of days
~60% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~19 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 43% of days (13.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.4 days / month

Share of days
~43% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~21°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~13 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 31% of days (9.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.7 days / month

Share of days
~31% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~10 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 28% of days (8.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.8 days / month

Share of days
~28% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~59km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~9 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 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.8 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (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 ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.5 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~33°C (P95)
Why this matters

Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). 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 ~23°C (P95)
Why this matters

Warm nights are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is January a good time to visit São Paulo?

Typical January days in São Paulo reach highs of 27°C (81°F) with nights around 19°C (66°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild 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?

Daytime temperatures in January typically peak near 27°C (81°F), while nights drop to around 19°C (66°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in January?

Rainfall in January averages 225 mm (8.9 in) across roughly 26 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 05:33 and sunset near 18:56. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

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 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 46 km/h (29 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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