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Petra, Jordan · Temperate

Petra in January: go or not?

Tough period. Petra in January only reaches 4.4/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 30.33°N · 35.44°E
⚡ This month's verdict
Avoid
Petra · January
4.4
6–13°
Temperature
24%
Rain
6h
Sun
🏛️ Heritage🌧️ Moderate rain☔ Indoor sights
Photo : Valentin Karisch via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in January

In January, Petra sees 13.0°F during the day with 6.5h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (24.0% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.

January ranks 11 out of 12 months in Petra. Compared to December: −4°F daytime, 5 pts more rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index
4 · moderate
protect during midday hours
Feels like
dry air
Daylight
10.2h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 35
Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Petra is May (9.5/10), 5.1 pts higher than January.

See May →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Petra demands you choose your moment carefully: 7,200 ft altitude in the heart of a desert , so cold in winter, scorching in summer. May is my favorite month (9.8/10): 63-82°F, 4% rain, golden light on the pink sandstone.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🎟️ Activities & tours · Petra

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

See all →
Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a city break.

Country · Jordan

🗣️LanguageArabic
💶CurrencyDinar jordanien (JD)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety At risk · 4/5
💰Cost of living Cheap · 2/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate
📈Climate trend Stable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 90°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 55°F
🌧️Rainiest month February · 25%

🏛️ City break

📅Tourist peak seasonJune → August
Indoor sights Year-round
🚇Public transportGood
Location

Where is Petra ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Jordan
Temperate climate with a 9.5 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
30.33°N · 35.44°E
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Petra?
May is the best month with 82°F highs, 63°F lows, 9.5h of sunshine and 4.0% rainy days. The months of May & June offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Petra get in May?
Petra averages 9.5 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.3/10.
What is the rainiest month in Petra?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Petra in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 63°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Petra good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Petra scores 5.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 9.3/10.
When should you avoid Petra?
January is the most difficult month to visit Petra, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Do you need sun protection in Petra in January?
The average UV index reaches 4 in January in Petra (moderate), with about 10.2h of daylight. Protect during midday hours.