Weather in Sousse in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Sousse and ranks 59th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Tunisia it is 1st of 3 (Tunisia in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Sousse is 9.3°C warmer by day and 5.4°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Sousse peaks at 16.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 20.2°C or more. Roughly 1 in 333 days top 25°C. Nights average 7.6°C; one night in ten drops to 4.3°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 25.7°C (1995-01-01) and the coldest night 0.9°C (2006-01-26).

Rain in January

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 5 days with 1 mm or more, 33 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1999 with 129 mm, the driest 2007 with 3 mm. Humidity averages 70%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 15.8°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.3°C to 16.4°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (26.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.6 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.8 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:27 and sets about 17:26 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 43%.

Is January a good time to visit Sousse?

January is not the strongest month here: mild days. The best months for Sousse on our scoring are June, May, September; months averaging 25°C or more: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.

Comfortable afternoons, chilly evenings

January is Sousse's coldest month, so treat the mild daytime average as a reason to get outdoors rather than a promise of warmth throughout the day. The warmest days can reach around 20°C, but the coldest nights fall to about 4°C or below. Pack layers, a jumper and a jacket you will be comfortable wearing after sunset. With about 5.6 hours of sunshine within 9.8 hours of daylight, there is scope for time outside, though not uninterrupted blue skies. Plan longer walks around the middle of the day, when warmth is most useful, and keep evening plans flexible if you dislike the cold.

Some rain, and a sea best left to cold-water swimmers

Rain is a consideration rather than a reason to rule January out. There are about 5 rainy days during the month, so a shower need not define the trip, but you should leave room to rearrange outdoor plans. A light waterproof and shoes you can wear comfortably in wet weather are sensible additions to your bag. The bigger limitation for a beach-focused holiday is the sea: at 15.8°C, it is cold rather than merely refreshing. Unless you already enjoy cold-water swimming, plan on time beside the water rather than in it. January makes more sense for travellers content with walks and occasional sunshine than those wanting long, warm beach days.