Weather in Singapore in January

How January compares

January is the 11th warmest month of the year in Singapore and ranks 19th 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, Singapore is 20.4°C warmer by day and 22.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Singapore peaks at 27.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 29.1°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 56 pass 30°C. Nights average 24.6°C; one night in ten drops to 24.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 31.3°C (2020-01-26) and the coldest night 22.5°C (2018-01-14).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 22 days with 1 mm or more, 197 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1993 with 372 mm, the driest 1997 with 18 mm. Humidity averages 84%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 27.6°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 26.9°C to 28.6°C. For the warmest sea here, come in May (30.1°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 1.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:12 and sets about 19:15 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 84%.

Is January a good time to visit Singapore?

It is a reasonable choice: hot days but expect showers. The best months for Singapore on our scoring are July, June, March; months averaging 25°C or more: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.

Hot days without much night-time relief

Singapore feels markedly warmer than London in January: the average daytime high is 20.4°C higher. Yet this is among Singapore's cooler months, so choosing January does not mean choosing its strongest heat. The main challenge is the humidity, which can make walking feel more tiring than the temperature suggests. Wear loose, lightweight clothes and leave room for indoor breaks when the heat feels uncomfortable, especially around midday. Nights average roughly 25°C, so do not expect the evening to bring much cooling. This suits travellers who enjoy steady warmth, but is less appealing if cool nights are important to your comfort.

Keep outdoor plans flexible

Rain is a central part of the January trade-off, not a minor possibility to ignore when packing. With about 22 rainy days, it makes sense to carry an umbrella and choose footwear you do not mind getting wet. Keep outdoor plans movable rather than depending on a dry day for something important. Sunshine averages about 1.9 hours within 11.9 hours of daylight, so long daylight hours should not be mistaken for long sunny spells. The figures do not tell you when rain will fall or how long each spell will last. Make indoor alternatives part of the plan, while taking dry opportunities as they come.