Avg High
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
11h

What to expect

January in Abu Dhabi is mid-winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month is warm and inviting for long walks, with a noticeable cool-down after sunset. The daylight window is balanced for full days without endless late evenings. 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 Abu Dhabi.

Hottest (avg)
#12 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#2 / 12
Daylight Hours
#11 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#6 / 12
Highest UV
#11 / 12
Most Humid
#1 / 12

Monthly climate breakdown

Temperature

Daytime high
Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Sunshine

Daylight hours
10.8 h
UV index (max)
6
Typical sun hours
07:06 - 17:55

Rain & Snow

Total rain
Rainy days
2 days
Cloud cover (avg)
31%

Humidity & Wind

Humidity (avg)
66%
Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Daily climate explorer

Daily climate explorer for January in Abu DhabiInteractive chart with daily scrub and pinned insight panel.010203011631°C

Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 22.1°C and low 16.0°C.

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 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 ~34mm (P95)

Rain disruption risk appears on ~1 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 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 ~34mm (P95)

Washout conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (13 more)
Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.4 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.4 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~71km/h (P95)

Strong gusts are possible on ~0 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 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 ~36mm (P95)

Heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.1 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.1 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.1 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~34mm (P95)

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 26% of days (8.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

8.1 days / month

~26% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 8.1 days / month
  • Probability ~26% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~59km/h (P95)

Gusty conditions are possible on ~8 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 16% of days (4.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

4.9 days / month

~16% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 4.9 days / month
  • Probability ~16% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~94% (P95)

Cloudy skies are possible on ~5 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 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 ~12mm (P95)

Measurable rain is possible on ~4 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 7% of days (2.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.2 days / month

~7% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.2 days / month
  • Probability ~7% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~33km/h (P95)

Breezy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.1 days / month

~7% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.1 days / month
  • Probability ~7% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)

Several rainy hours are possible on ~2 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 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 ~86% (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

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). 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 ~98% (P95)

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~2 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 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 ~19h (P95)

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). 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 ~100% (P95)

Overcast skies are possible on ~0 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 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 ~19°C (P95)

Humid conditions are possible on ~0 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Abu Dhabi?

Typical January days in Abu Dhabi reach highs of 23°C (73°F) with nights around 16°C (61°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 23°C (73°F), while nights drop to around 16°C (61°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in January?

Rainfall in January averages 10 mm (0.39 in) across roughly 2 days. Overall it is a mostly dry 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 11 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 07:06 and sunset near 17:55. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.

How strong is the sun in January?

UV levels are moderate (around 6); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.

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 48 km/h (30 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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