Hottest (avg)
#12 / 12
On the cooler side.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Edinburgh.
Wettest (avg)
#5 / 12
Typical rainfall for the year.
Daylight Hours
#11 / 12
Shorter days.
Windiest (avg)
#2 / 12
Among the windier months.
Highest UV
#11 / 12
UV is gentler than usual.
Most Humid
#3 / 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
7.7 h
Average daylight
- UV index (max)
- 1
- Typical sun hours
- 08:29 - 16:12
Wet-day pattern
Rain & Snow
Typical rainfall
- Rainy days
- 17 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 73%
- Snowfall
-
Air feel
Humidity & Wind
86%
Average humidity
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Historical daily baseline
Daily climate explorer
Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through January in Edinburgh. 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 6.6°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.
Cold High impact
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 99% of days (30.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
30.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~99% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~2°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 32% of days (9.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
9.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~32% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~102km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong gusts are possible on ~10 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cold High impact
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
8.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~26% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters
Freezing nights are possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold High impact
Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 18% of days (5.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~18% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~-1°C (P95)
Why this matters
Wind chill risk is possible on ~6 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
5.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~18% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~17mm (P95)
Why this matters
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.
Likely frequency
5.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~18% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~17mm (P95)
Why this matters
Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (25 more)
Snow High impact
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 17% of days (5.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
5.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~17% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~3.7mm (P95)
Why this matters
Snowfall is possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 12% of days (3.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
3.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~12% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~111km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Severe gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
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.
Likely frequency
1.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~4% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~107km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 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 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~122km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Disruptive wind is possible on ~1 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 1.0 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- —
- Upper edge
- Up to ~18mm (P95)
Why this matters
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
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 ~112km/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 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~14% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97% (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.
Cold Moderate
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
2.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~8% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Why this matters
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold Moderate
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold 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 ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold snap runs are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). 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 ~20mm (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Daylight Minor
Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). 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 ~8.5h (P95)
Why this matters
Short daylight windows are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 92% of days (28.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
28.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~92% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~10°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~29 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 86% of days (26.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
26.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~86% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~94% (P95)
Why this matters
High humidity is possible on ~27 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 84% of days (26.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
26.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~84% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters
Cold nights are possible on ~26 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 74% of days (22.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
22.8 days / month
- Share of days
- ~74% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Cloudy skies are possible on ~23 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 66% of days (20.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
20.6 days / month
- Share of days
- ~66% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~95km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Gusty conditions are possible on ~21 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 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 ~12mm (P95)
Why this matters
Measurable rain is possible on ~20 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 53% of days (16.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
16.4 days / month
- Share of days
- ~53% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~20h (P95)
Why this matters
Several rainy hours are possible on ~16 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 47% of days (14.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
14.7 days / month
- Share of days
- ~47% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~15 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 37% of days (11.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
11.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~37% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~21h (P95)
Why this matters
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 24% of days (7.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
7.5 days / month
- Share of days
- ~24% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~38km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Breezy conditions are possible on ~8 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 23% of days (7.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
7.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~23% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters
Overcast skies are possible on ~7 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 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
4.3 days / month
- Share of days
- ~14% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~97 (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.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
Likely frequency
1.0 days / month
- Share of days
- ~3% of days
- Upper edge
- Up to ~41km/h (P95)
Why this matters
Strong mean winds are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Other Minor
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) Measures: Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified). 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 ~8 (P95)
Why this matters
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is 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 Edinburgh?
Typical January days in Edinburgh reach highs of 6°C (43°F) with nights around 2°C (36°F). It usually feels chilly by day and cold after dark. Overall, January sits in the middle of the Edinburgh climate range.
What are temperatures like in January?
Daytime temperatures in January typically peak near 6°C (43°F), while nights drop to around 2°C (36°F). Expect chilly afternoons and cold evenings.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 74 mm (2.9 in) across roughly 17 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 8 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 08:29 and sunset near 16:12. Daylight is quite limited, and it can feel like a short-day season.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels are usually low (around 1), so standard sun protection is enough.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 19 km/h (12 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 83 km/h (52 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.