Dubai temperature in January
Click here to see what to expect in December | Click here to see what to expect in February
Dubai’s average day time maximum temperature in January is 24.2°C (76°F).
January is the coolest month of the year to visit Dubai, though day time highs can still reach as high as 31.8°C (89°F) with lows overnight averaging 14.6°C (58°F).
Days are typically clear and sunny but there is a chance of rain and thunderstorms – 8 hours a day of sunshine a day is forecast.
Dubai Sea Temperature in January
In January, you should expect sea temperatures on average of 23.9°C (75°F) (Maximum sea temperatures are expected of 25.9°C (77°F) through to a minimum 22°C (73°F).
This may be too cold for locals but tourists from the icy parts of the Northern Hemisphere still enjoy an ocean splash in January!
You will find the majority of hotels and resorts heat their pools to make it pleasant for tourists to go swimming year-round, so this shouldn’t stop your January plans for a holiday in the sun.
For more on what’s happening in Dubai in January check out this page.
Other weather patterns that are common in Dubai in January
Fog can roll in which at times can cause chaos with transport. It’s not a regular occurrence but always something to be mindful of travelling to Dubai in January. When the fog is very thick the airports will need to close their runways.
It’s not unusual to experience winter rain showers in January, even quite heavy thunderstorms. 15mm falls in January on average, so packing an umbrella is probably an unnecessary extra item of luggage. If you’re unfortunate enough to be caught in the rain you may be able to borrow one from your hotel, but our advice is to sit it out inside if you can when a rainstorm hits, rarely do they last a long time.
Despite what you might read in news reports, the only snow you will find in Dubai is likely to be inside Ski Dubai. The parts of the country that get cold enough to experience this are in Ras al Khaimah, a different Emirate in the UAE.
Information sourced from the National Centre of Meteorology climate report 2003-2018 for Dubai International Airport.
What should I pack for January in Dubai?
It’s probably going to get cool enough that you can pack longer jeans/trousers and bring some sort of pullover, especially if you plan a trip into the desert. Even the airconditioning inside can still be pretty fierce in January.
Despite it being cooler, you will probably still want to pack your essentials for being out in the sun – sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. If you are packing swimwear, make sure you read our dressing advice for Dubai here.
You can read more about what to pack in January for Dubai here (coming soon).
Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai
- Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai, a handy guide on what to pack, and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
- Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai.
- Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
- Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance!!!
- Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai, or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:
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