Monthly climate guide
Istanbul weather in January
January in Istanbul is typically cool, with average daytime highs around 8°C (47°F) and night-time lows near 4°C (39°F). The month usually brings about 81 mm of rain (some rain) and is often cloudy. Daytime highs are 2°C cooler than December and about the same as February.
What stands out in January
- January brings mid-winter to Istanbul.
- Rain is above Istanbul's usual level, by about 56%.
- Expect more cloud than at any other time of year.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 5°C).
January is typically Istanbul's coolest month.It's usually the wettest month of the year.
Avg high
8°C
47°F
Avg low
4°C
39°F
Rainfall
81 mm
some rain
Humidity
83%
relative
Sky
74%
cloud · often cloudy
Istanbul weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°C / 47°F | 4°C / 39°F | 81 mm | 83% | 74% |
| February | 10°C / 50°F | 4°C / 40°F | 60 mm | 82% | 74% |
| March | 12°C / 54°F | 6°C / 43°F | 49 mm | 79% | 64% |
| April | 17°C / 62°F | 9°C / 48°F | 47 mm | 75% | 56% |
| May | 21°C / 71°F | 14°C / 58°F | 50 mm | 75% | 58% |
| June | 26°C / 79°F | 19°C / 66°F | 42 mm | 71% | 42% |
| July | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 71°F | 23 mm | 66% | 24% |
| August | 29°C / 85°F | 22°C / 72°F | 20 mm | 67% | 27% |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 20°C / 67°F | 54 mm | 67% | 40% |
| October | 20°C / 69°F | 15°C / 58°F | 62 mm | 76% | 56% |
| November | 15°C / 60°F | 10°C / 51°F | 53 mm | 79% | 67% |
| December | 11°C / 51°F | 6°C / 43°F | 81 mm | 82% | 69% |
What to pack for January
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is January a good time to visit Istanbul?
Our Istanbul guide recommends: April to May or September to November, avoiding the summer heat and crowds.
A short Bosphorus ferry ride is one of the easiest ways to see the city from the water and cross between its European and Asian sides.
Best time to visit Istanbul →Other Turkey cities in January
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Istanbul weather in January. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/turkey/istanbul/january
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/turkey/istanbul/january">Istanbul weather in January</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/turkey/istanbul" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Istanbul weather in January"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/turkey/istanbul/january">Istanbul weather in January</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Istanbul in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Istanbul?
January is cool in Istanbul, with highs around 8°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Istanbul in January?
Average highs are about 8°C (47°F) and average lows about 4°C (39°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Istanbul in January?
Istanbul typically gets around 81 mm of rain in January — some rain. It's usually the wettest month of the year.
When is the best time to visit Istanbul?
April to May or September to November, avoiding the summer heat and crowds.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Istanbul (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.