Weather in Sal in January

How January compares

January is the 9th warmest month of the year in Sal and ranks 43rd of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Cape Verde it is 2nd of 2 (Cape Verde in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Sal is 15.0°C warmer by day and 18.8°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Sal peaks at 22.4°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 24.3°C or more. Roughly 1 in 17 days top 25°C. Nights average 21.0°C; one night in ten drops to 19.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 28.8°C (2020-01-31) and the coldest night 17.8°C (2018-01-29).

Rain in January

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 1 days with 1 mm or more, 5 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2005 with 68 mm, the driest 1995 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 22.7°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 21.8°C to 23.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (26.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:04 and sets about 18:18 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 47%.

Is January a good time to visit Sal?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Sal on our scoring are July, October, November; months averaging 25°C or more: Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.

Warm enough for light clothes, not reliably hot

January feels markedly warmer than London, with average daytime temperatures 15.0°C higher, but Sal is still relatively mild at this time of year. Only 6% of days reach 25°C, so choose it for comfortable outdoor weather rather than the expectation of hot afternoons. Light clothing is a sensible starting point, with a light layer for evenings if you tend to feel the cold. Average nights remain close to daytime temperatures, so the usual evening drop is modest. Humidity averages 72%, which may make the air feel less crisp than the temperature suggests. For travellers who dislike strong heat, that mild daytime pattern is a reason to go rather than a drawback.

Swimming weather, with little rain but some cloud

The sea averages 22.7°C, putting January in swimming territory, though it may feel fresh when you first get in rather than bath-warm. If your holiday centres on long, leisurely swims, your tolerance for cooler water matters more than the warm air alone. Rain is unlikely to be the main obstacle to outdoor plans: January averages about 0 rainy days and 5.0 mm of rainfall. That is a dry outlook, not a promise that every stay will be rain-free. Sunshine averages about 5.9 hours within 11.1 hours of daylight, so allow for time without direct sun rather than expecting clear skies throughout. Keep your swimming plans flexible around the sunnier spells.