Weather in Antigua in January

How January compares

January is the 11th warmest month of the year in Antigua and ranks 29th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Antigua is 18.9°C warmer by day and 21.9°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Antigua peaks at 26.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.2°C or more. About 97% of days top 25°C. Nights average 24.1°C; one night in ten drops to 23.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 28.4°C (2017-01-24) and the coldest night 20.1°C (2017-01-21).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 34 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2005 with 90 mm, the driest 2016 with 17 mm. Humidity averages 74%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 26.5°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.0°C to 27.0°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (28.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.7 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:40 and sets about 17:53 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 30%.

Is January a good time to visit Antigua?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, manageable rain and long sunny days. The best months for Antigua on our scoring are March, February, April; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Warm days, with little cooling after dark

January is towards the cooler end of Antigua's year, but that is relative: it still feels firmly like summer to a traveller arriving from the UK. Days reach 25°C on 97% of occasions, so light clothing is a sensible starting point rather than something reserved for an unusually warm afternoon. Humidity averages 74%, which can make walking around feel sticky, especially at midday. Choose loose, breathable clothes and allow for shade breaks rather than packing each day with activity. Evenings bring only a small drop in temperature, so do not expect the sort of cool night that calls for a heavy layer.

Good swimming conditions, but allow for rain

The sea is warm enough for swimming, making January a sensible choice if being in the water matters more than finding Antigua's hottest weather. There is also a useful amount of sun: about 7.7 hours daily within 11.1 hours of daylight. That leaves plenty of daylight for outdoor plans, though sunshine should not be mistaken for a promise of dry weather. Rain falls on about 11 days during the month, so pack a light waterproof and keep some flexibility in your schedule. This suits travellers happy to adapt their beach time; it is less appealing if uninterrupted dry days are essential to the trip.