Weather in Porto in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Porto and ranks 92nd of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Portugal it is 13th of 13 (Portugal in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Porto is 5.5°C warmer by day and 4.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Porto peaks at 12.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 15.2°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 6.4°C; one night in ten drops to 2.5°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 19.9°C (2016-01-24) and the coldest night -1.1°C (2009-01-09).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 154 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2001 with 405 mm, the driest 2005 with 12 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 13.4°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 12.7°C to 14.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in September (17.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:58 and sets about 17:29 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 60%.

Is January a good time to visit Porto?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Porto on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Milder than London, but still winter

January is Porto's coldest month, so the advantage over the UK needs some perspective. The average daytime high is 12.9°C, compared with London's 7.4°C: a useful difference for walking, rather than a reason to pack summer clothes. Milder days can reach 15.2°C or more, but evenings need a warm layer and a coat. The coldest nights fall to 2.5°C or lower, so do not judge your packing by the daytime average alone. Layers give you more flexibility than a single heavy outfit, especially when moving indoors. This is a reasonable choice if you prefer exploring in cool conditions and do not need warmth after dark.

Plan around rain and limited daylight

Rain is the main catch, with about 12 days seeing measurable rainfall. That does not mean every wet day is a washout, but a rigid outdoor itinerary is a poor fit. Keep your plans flexible, wear shoes that can handle wet pavements and bring a waterproof outer layer. There are about 3.8 hours of sunshine within 9.4 hours of daylight, so sunshine is a bonus rather than something to build the trip around. Put outdoor time into brighter spells and leave room for indoor breaks when rain arrives. January makes more sense for travellers comfortable with changeable winter weather than for anyone seeking dependable clear skies.