Your January weather guide
CoolWeather in Split in January
January in Split suits a cool-weather city break, not a winter sun holiday. Expect daytime highs around 10°C, nights near 4°C and about 11 rainy days during the month. It is milder than London by day, but the difference is modest rather than a change of season. Go if you are happy to wear layers, keep outdoor plans flexible and leave swimming off the agenda; choose another month if warmth is the priority.
Long-term climate averages for Split, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Split, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Split.
- Average daytime high
- 10.1°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 14°C
- Average night-time low
- 3.8°C
- coldest 10% of nights: -1°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +2.7°C
- London averages 7.4°C in January
- Sea temperature
- 13.7°C
- year to year: 13°C to 15°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 4.2h
- 46% of 9.1 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 11
- 120 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 74%
- Days over 25°C
- 0%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 16.2°C
- 2002-01-29
- Record low 1991-2020
- -11.6°C
- 2000-01-26
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 36 min
- 1508 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How January compares
January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Split and ranks 115th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Croatia it is 3rd of 4 (Croatia in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Split is 2.7°C warmer by day and 1.6°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in January
The typical January day in Split peaks at 10.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 13.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 3.8°C; one night in ten drops to -0.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 16.2°C (2002-01-29) and the coldest night -11.6°C (2000-01-26).
Rain in January
Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 120 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2010 with 262 mm, the driest 1993 with 11 mm. Humidity averages 74%.
Sea temperature in January
The sea averages 13.7°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.0°C to 14.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.6°C).
Sunshine and daylight
Around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:25 and sets about 16:42 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 54%.
Is January a good time to visit Split?
January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Split on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jun, Jul, Aug.
Milder days, but properly cold evenings
January is Split's coldest month, so treat the trip as winter travel despite the coastal setting. The warmer days reach around 14°C or more, which can make time outdoors more comfortable, but that is not the everyday expectation. At the colder end, nights fall to around -1°C or below. Pack a warm coat and layers you can adjust rather than relying on a light jacket throughout your stay. Evenings call for warmer clothing than daytime outings. The sea averages 13.7°C and is firmly cold: for most travellers, this is a month to spend time beside the water rather than in it.
Keep daylight plans flexible
Rain is a meaningful catch in January, with about 11 rainy days, so a fixed programme of outdoor plans is a poor fit. Bring a waterproof outer layer and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions, and be ready to move outdoor time into a dry spell. There are about 4.2 hours of sunshine within 9.1 hours of daylight, so do not read a sunny forecast as a promise of a long, bright day. Put the outdoor part of your day into the available daylight and keep indoor options for wet spells. This suits travellers who can change plans more than those counting on sunshine throughout their stay.
A little perspective
Split through the year
January is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuarySelected | 10.1°C | 3.8°C | 13.7°C | 4.2 | 120 | 11 | 0% |
| February | 10.9°C | 3.8°C | 12.7°C | 5.0 | 106 | 10 | 0% |
| March | 13.8°C | 6.4°C | 12.8°C | 5.8 | 103 | 10 | 0% |
| April | 17.2°C | 9.6°C | 14.2°C | 6.5 | 100 | 11 | 1% |
| May | 21.7°C | 13.9°C | 17.8°C | 7.8 | 74 | 9 | 14% |
| Junebest | 26.0°C | 17.9°C | 21.7°C | 9.9 | 42 | 7 | 62% |
| Julybest | 29.0°C | 20.3°C | 24.0°C | 11.6 | 27 | 5 | 92% |
| Augustbest | 29.3°C | 20.7°C | 24.6°C | 10.6 | 41 | 5 | 94% |
| September | 24.3°C | 16.7°C | 22.4°C | 7.6 | 104 | 8 | 43% |
| October | 19.9°C | 13.0°C | 20.3°C | 5.7 | 137 | 11 | 2% |
| November | 15.1°C | 9.2°C | 18.0°C | 4.0 | 226 | 14 | 0% |
| December | 11.2°C | 5.2°C | 15.7°C | 4.0 | 175 | 12 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in January
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Split in January FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Split hot in January?
Split is cool in January: the average daytime high is 10.1°C and nights average 3.8°C. Days over 25°C are rare in January.
Can you swim in the sea in Split in January?
The sea around Split averages 13.7°C in January, which is cold for swimming without a wetsuit. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 13°C to 15°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Split in January?
Split sees about 11 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 120 mm of rain in a typical January. The wettest January between 1991 and 2020 was 2010 (262 mm) and the driest was 1993 (11 mm).
How sunny is Split in January?
Split gets around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day in January out of 9.1 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Split compare with the UK in January?
Split is on average 2.7°C warmer than London by day in January (10.1°C against 7.4°C).
What is the hottest January on record in Split?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day in Split reached 16.2°C on 2002-01-29, and the coldest night dropped to -11.6°C on 2000-01-26.
How much warmer is Split than London in January?
Split's average daytime high is 10.1°C, compared with London's 7.4°C, a difference of 2.7°C. That is a modest improvement, not a warm-weather transformation. You will still need winter layers, particularly once the daytime warmth fades.
Is January a good choice if I want warm holiday weather?
No. January is Split's coldest month, with cool days and a cold sea. If warmth matters more than travelling in January, look at June, July or August instead: these are the strongest months here for holiday weather.
How long is the flight from London?
The flight from London takes about 2 h 36 min, making Split a short-haul option. That makes it a manageable flight for a winter break, but the short journey does not come with reliably warm or dry January weather.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Split. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 2.1 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C