Canberra in January
January is right in the heart of summer for Canberra, and the weather has a definite personality this time of year.
Daytime highs average 25.4 degrees, dropping to 15.0 degrees overnight. That's a 10-degree swing between day and night. Comfortable during the day, with evenings that invite a light layer.
At 25.4 degrees, January runs 5.8 degrees above Canberra's annual average of 19.6 degrees.
You're looking at 105mm of rain across 12 days in a typical January. Moderate, often falling in a few good dumps rather than constant drizzle.
Solar exposure averages 22.6 MJ/m2 per day in January, with UV levels in the extreme range. Sunscreen, hat, and sunnies are all essential. You can burn in under 10 minutes.
January earns a 9.2/10 on our Comfort Score. This is prime time.
For your suitcase: t-shirts with a light layer for evenings, a rain jacket or compact umbrella, and serious sun protection.
The full data breakdown is below. You can also see how other Australian cities compare in January.
January at a Glance
Temperature Range
Daily temperature range in January. The bar shows the typical spread between overnight lows and afternoon highs.
What to Pack
- Comfortable casual wear suitable for warm days
- Proper rain gear for frequent showers
- High SPF sunscreen (50+), sunglasses, and UV-protective clothing
Coming From Overseas?
How January in Canberra stacks up against major cities around the world.
About 17 degrees warmer and considerably wetter.
About 21 degrees warmer and considerably wetter.
About 15 degrees warmer and considerably wetter.
How January Compares
Canberra's monthly climate at a glance. January is highlighted.
| Month | Max | Min | Rain | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.4 | 15.0 | 105mm | 9.2 |
| Feb | 26.4 | 14.6 | 51mm | 9.1 |
| Mar | 25.1 | 12.2 | 22mm | 10.0 |
| Apr | 18.2 | 7.5 | 54mm | 5.9 |
| May | 14.9 | 4.8 | 45mm | 3.1 |
| Jun | 10.8 | 1.2 | 50mm | 1.0 |
| Jul | 10.7 | 1.7 | 44mm | 1.0 |
| Aug | 14.3 | 3.6 | 25mm | 2.6 |
| Sep | 16.3 | 4.4 | 26mm | 5.2 |
| Oct | 20.5 | 6.8 | 26mm | 8.6 |
| Nov | 25.4 | 13.0 | 88mm | 9.7 |
| Dec | 27.4 | 13.9 | 60mm | 8.3 |