Monthly climate guide
Edinburgh weather in January
January in Edinburgh is typically cold, with average daytime highs around 5°C (41°F) and night-time lows near 2°C (35°F). The month usually brings about 73 mm of rain (some rain) and is often cloudy. Daytime highs are about the same as December and about the same as February.
What stands out in January
- Seasonally, January counts as mid-winter in Edinburgh.
- Short daylight hours mean Arthur's Seat is best seen around midday.
- Just 140 km apart, but Edinburgh runs about 3°C warmer than Aviemore this month.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
January is typically Edinburgh's coolest month.
Avg high
5°C
41°F
Avg low
2°C
35°F
Rainfall
73 mm
some rain
Humidity
94%
relative
Sky
77%
cloud · often cloudy
Edinburgh weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 41°F | 2°C / 35°F | 73 mm | 94% | 77% |
| February | 6°C / 42°F | 2°C / 35°F | 62 mm | 92% | 76% |
| March | 7°C / 45°F | 2°C / 36°F | 58 mm | 89% | 76% |
| April | 10°C / 50°F | 4°C / 38°F | 53 mm | 86% | 73% |
| May | 13°C / 56°F | 6°C / 43°F | 61 mm | 83% | 73% |
| June | 16°C / 60°F | 9°C / 48°F | 85 mm | 83% | 80% |
| July | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 51°F | 95 mm | 84% | 76% |
| August | 17°C / 63°F | 11°C / 51°F | 100 mm | 85% | 77% |
| September | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 63 mm | 87% | 74% |
| October | 12°C / 53°F | 7°C / 44°F | 88 mm | 90% | 75% |
| November | 8°C / 47°F | 4°C / 39°F | 78 mm | 94% | 74% |
| December | 6°C / 43°F | 3°C / 37°F | 84 mm | 94% | 78% |
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 Edinburgh?
Our Edinburgh guide recommends: May to September, or August specifically for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
If visiting in August, book accommodation and Fringe Festival show tickets well ahead — the city's population roughly doubles.
Best time to visit Edinburgh →Other United Kingdom cities in January
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Edinburgh weather in January. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/january
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/january">Edinburgh weather in January</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/uk/edinburgh" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Edinburgh weather in January"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/uk/edinburgh/january">Edinburgh weather in January</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Edinburgh in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
January is cool in Edinburgh, with highs around 5°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Edinburgh in January?
Average highs are about 5°C (41°F) and average lows about 2°C (35°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Edinburgh in January?
Edinburgh typically gets around 73 mm of rain in January — some rain.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
May to September, or August specifically for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Edinburgh (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.