Weather in Goa in January

How January compares

January is the 7th warmest month of the year in Goa and ranks 1st of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within India it is 1st of 2 (India in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Goa is 23.9°C warmer by day and 17.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Goa peaks at 31.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 33.2°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 19.9°C; one night in ten drops to 17.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 35.3°C (1991-01-29) and the coldest night 14.3°C (1991-01-03).

Rain in January

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 0 days with 1 mm or more, 1 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2010 with 12 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 63%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 27.2°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.7°C to 27.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in May (29.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 8.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.2 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:05 and sets about 18:23 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 21%.

Is January a good time to visit Goa?

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

Expect proper heat, not just a warmer winter

Pack for hot days: light, loose clothing will be more useful than the layers you wear to leave the UK. Around 80% of January days reach 30°C, so this is not a month to choose if you want reliably gentle temperatures for being active all day. The warmer days reach 33°C or more, making shade and breaks sensible around midday. Humidity averages 63%, so do not expect the warmth to feel completely dry despite the lack of rain. Put more demanding outdoor plans earlier or later in the day, and leave room to rest when the heat feels strongest.

Dry weather gives you flexibility

Rain is unlikely to be the deciding factor in your daily plans. January averages about 0 rainy days, which makes it a strong option if wet weather would spoil the holiday you have in mind. That is not a guarantee of no showers, but there is little reason to build your packing around rain protection. Sunshine averages about 8.9 hours within 11.2 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of time outdoors without implying clear skies throughout every day. Sunscreen, a hat and access to shade deserve more attention than waterproofs. The catch is that dependable sunshine does not make the midday heat any gentler.

Warm water and more comfortable evenings

At 27.2°C, the sea is warm enough for swimming without the bracing entry you might associate with cooler destinations. January's year-to-year range of 27°C to 28°C also suggests water temperature is unlikely to be the drawback, though warmth alone does not tell you about swimming conditions on the day. Evenings offer a change from the daytime heat, with average night lows around 20°C. A light layer is sensible if you tend to feel cool after sitting outside, as the colder nights can fall to around 18°C or below. This balance suits travellers who want hot afternoons without equally hot nights.