Avg High
Durban in January
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h
What to expect
January in Durban is mid-summer, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with only small changes from morning to evening. 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 Durban.
Hottest (avg)
#2 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#1 / 12
Daylight Hours
#2 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#5 / 12
Highest UV
#1 / 12
Most Humid
#4 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 13.8 h
- UV index (max)
- 9
- Typical sun hours
- 05:10 - 18:59
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 16 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 62%
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 79%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 27.4°C and low 22.1°C.
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 60% of days (18.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
18.6 days / month
~60% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 18.6 days / month
- Probability ~60% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Muggy conditions are possible on ~19 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 29% of days (8.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
8.8 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 8.8 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~9 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 18% of days (5.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.6 days / month
~18% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.6 days / month
- Probability ~18% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 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 18% of days (5.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
5.5 days / month
~18% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 5.5 days / month
- Probability ~18% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~6 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 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.6 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.6 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~88km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). 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 ~45mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (22 more)
Heat High impact
Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.0 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.0 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~2 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 1.5 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~37mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are 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 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~83km/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.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). 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 ~56mm (P95)
Very heavy 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 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~105km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Moderate
Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). 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 ~33°C (P95)
Hot days are possible on ~2 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 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.0 days / month
~6% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.0 days / month
- Probability ~6% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39°C (P95)
Heat stress is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Humidity Minor
Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 84% of days (26.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
26.1 days / month
~84% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 26.1 days / month
- Probability ~84% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Humid conditions are possible on ~26 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 66% of days (20.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
20.4 days / month
~66% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 20.4 days / month
- Probability ~66% of days
- Intensity Up to ~74km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~20 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 62% of days (19.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.2 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.2 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~19mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~19 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 56% of days (17.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.2 days / month
~56% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.2 days / month
- Probability ~56% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~17 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 51% of days (15.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.8 days / month
~51% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.8 days / month
- Probability ~51% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~16 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 49% of days (15.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
15.3 days / month
~49% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 15.3 days / month
- Probability ~49% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~15 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Heat Minor
Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 46% of days (14.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
14.3 days / month
~46% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 14.3 days / month
- Probability ~46% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)
Warm nights are possible on ~14 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 38% of days (11.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.8 days / month
~38% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.8 days / month
- Probability ~38% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~12 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 33% of days (10.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.2 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.2 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~10 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 16% of days (4.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.8 days / month
~16% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.8 days / month
- Probability ~16% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23°C (P95)
Convective risk signal appears on ~5 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 15% of days (4.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.6 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.6 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~5 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 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
~4% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability ~4% of days
- Intensity Up to ~34km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Heat Minor
Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.8 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~37°C (P95)
Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.
Visibility Minor
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility 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 ~93% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
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 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 ~93 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Durban?
Typical January days in Durban reach highs of 27°C (81°F) with nights around 22°C (72°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?
In January, you can usually expect highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows near 22°C (72°F). That means warm days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 99 mm (3.9 in) across roughly 16 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 14 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 05:10 and sunset near 18:59. 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 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 62 km/h (39 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.