Weather in Barbados in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Barbados and ranks 27th 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, Barbados is 19.4°C warmer by day and 22.3°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Barbados peaks at 26.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 27.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C. Nights average 24.5°C; one night in ten drops to 23.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 29.6°C (2020-01-01) and the coldest night 21.4°C (1996-01-25).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 36 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2005 with 174 mm, the driest 2001 with 12 mm. Humidity averages 76%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 27.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.6°C to 27.5°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (29.0°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:25 and sets about 17:50 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 35%.

Is January a good time to visit Barbados?

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

Warm even in the coolest month

January is Barbados's coolest month, but that is relative: it still feels hot compared with a UK winter. London's average January high is 7.4°C, making Barbados 19.4°C warmer by day. The warmth is consistent, with days reaching 25°C and none reaching 30°C in the January figures. That suits travellers who want heat without very high daytime temperatures, although humidity of 76% can make it feel sticky. Choose loose, breathable clothing and take shade breaks at midday rather than treating the moderate-looking temperature as a reason to ignore the sun. Evenings stay warm, so light clothes remain useful after dark rather than just during the day.

Plan for sunshine, but leave room for rain

January offers about 7.3 hours of sunshine within 11.3 hours of daylight, giving you plenty of scope for time outdoors without promising clear skies throughout. Rain is still a planning consideration: about 11 days have measurable rainfall, so a fixed schedule of outdoor plans is less sensible than a flexible one. That figure does not mean each affected day is a washout, but nor does it tell you when the rain will arrive or how long it will last. Pack a light waterproof alongside sun protection, and use the local forecast to decide when to head out. January suits travellers happy to work around some wet weather rather than those who need reliably dry days.