Edinburgh Weather in January

What January feels like in Edinburgh

For Edinburgh, January is the heart of winter. It is cold outside for most of the day; indoor breaks come as a relief. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.

Rain in Edinburgh in January

Rain is part of normal life this month, falling on about every other day. Wet days average about 5.4 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. The yearly figure is similar, around 5.5 mm per wet day.

Daylight and sunshine in January

In mid-January, sunrise is at about 8:34 am and sunset at about 4:08 pm (local time) — 7 h 34 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 33 min more daylight than in mid-December. The sun is out for roughly 49% of those daylight hours, so sun and cloud share the day.

How January compares to the rest of the year

January is the coolest month of the year in Edinburgh. Compared with December, afternoons are 0.6°C (1.1°F) cooler, with 16 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into February. By February, typical highs are 6.8°C (44.2°F).

Who January suits

• Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
• Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
• Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
• Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.

Tips for visiting Edinburgh in January

Quick questions