Edinburgh · WinterMonth summary
Edinburgh weather in January
❌ Poor
🌡️ Temperature min / max
36°F – 43°F
🌧 Rainy days
42% of days
☀️ Sunshine
3.4h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
2.4/10
📅 📅 Best month
June (7.0/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Edinburgh in January?
❌ Poor
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January is a difficult time for Edinburgh. June (7.0/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Edinburgh in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
Winter in Edinburgh is cool (6°F during the day). Days are short (3.4h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. Expect rain on 42% of days — a light raincoat in the bag is recommended.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 36°F | 43°F | 42% | 0.1in | 3.4h | 2.4/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 36°F | 45°F | 48% | 0.1in | 5.3h | 3.0/10 |
| 🌦️ March | 37°F | 48°F | 47% | 0.1in | 6.8h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 39°F | 52°F | 38% | 0.1in | 10.4h | 5.5/10 |
| 🌦️ May | 46°F | 57°F | 40% | 0.1in | 11.3h | 6.6/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 50°F | 61°F | 47% | 0.1in | 11.9h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ July | 54°F | 64°F | 53% | 0.1in | 11.2h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ August | 54°F | 64°F | 47% | 0.1in | 10.6h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌦️ September | 50°F | 61°F | 46% | 0.1in | 8.2h | 6.0/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 46°F | 54°F | 52% | 0.1in | 5.1h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ November | 39°F | 48°F | 47% | 0.1in | 4.5h | 3.4/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 37°F | 45°F | 47% | 0.1in | 2.2h | 1.8/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Edinburgh averages 43°F, 42% rainy days and 3.4h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 2.4/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs June (best month)
The best month is June (score 7.0/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +10°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : +5%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +8.5h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Edinburgh in January
Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
January is not recommended for Edinburgh (score 2.4/10). With 42% rainy days and 3.4h of sunshine, consider June (7.0/10) instead.
What's the weather like in Edinburgh in January?
It's cool with 43°F daytime and 36°F at night. 3.4h of sunshine per day. Pack warm clothes and favour indoor visits.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Edinburgh
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