#1Warm
Dubai
- Day
- 24.0°C
- Sea
- 22.0°C
- Sun
- 7.3h
- Rain days
- 2
Your January weather guide
Weather in United Arab Emirates in January
Yes, January is a good month for the United Arab Emirates if you want warm days without making intense heat the focus of your trip. Country averages of 24°C by day and 15°C at night favour time outdoors, with a light layer for evenings. The sea averages 22°C, so swimming is possible but may feel cool. Dubai edges ahead for daytime warmth, while Abu Dhabi has slightly milder nights. The catch is that beach weather is not guaranteed.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 23.6°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 14.6°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 21.5°Cbracing
- Rainy days
- 2days1 mm or more
United Arab Emirates, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in United Arab Emirates in January
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Warm
Abu Dhabi
- Day
- 23.2°C
- Sea
- 21.0°C
- Sun
- 7.2h
- Rain days
- 2
United Arab Emirates destinations ranked for January
All 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates, ordered by daytime high.
January climate overview
Daytime highs across United Arab Emirates in January run from 23.2°C (Abu Dhabi) to 24.0°C (Dubai). Even in Dubai only 36% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 14.6°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Abu Dhabi fall to 12°C or below.
Rainfall in January
Expect around 2 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Abu Dhabi the driest (2 days) and Dubai the wettest (2 days). The wettest January at Dubai between 1991 and 2020 was 2020 with 144 mm; the driest was 1995 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 21.5°C around United Arab Emirates in January - warmest at Dubai (22.0°C). That is bracing: fine for a dip, cool for long swims.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 7.3 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.6 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
January against the rest of the year in United Arab Emirates
January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in United Arab Emirates. It is 2.1°C cooler than December and 1.6°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is August (41°C) and the coolest January (24°C).
Which part of United Arab Emirates in January?
- Most sunshine: Dubai, 7.3 h a day.
- Driest: Abu Dhabi, about 2 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Dubai, 22°C.
- Hottest: Dubai, 24°C by day.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Abu Dhabi, 23°C.
What to pack for United Arab Emirates in January
Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a light jumper for evenings (15°C at night); swimwear if you do not mind a bracing 22°C sea.
Similar weather elsewhere in January
Within 1.5°C of United Arab Emirates's January daytime average: Varadero (25°C, sea 25°C), Boa Vista (25°C, sea 23°C), Hawaii (25°C, sea 25°C), Bahamas (24°C, sea 24°C), Miami (23°C, sea 24°C). See the full ranking for January.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: choose by your priorities
Dubai is the warmer choice during the day, averaging 24°C against Abu Dhabi's 23°C, but the gap is small enough that it should not decide your whole trip. Dubai also has slightly warmer sea water at 22°C, compared with 21°C in Abu Dhabi, which gives it a modest advantage if swimming matters. Abu Dhabi turns the tables after dark, with nights averaging 16°C rather than Dubai's 14°C. Both average 2 rainy days, so neither has an advantage on that measure. Choose Dubai for the warmer daytime and sea averages, or Abu Dhabi if you put more weight on milder evenings; neither promises hot beach conditions every day.
What to pack and how to plan your days
Pack light daytime clothes, sun protection and a jumper or light jacket rather than treating January as an entirely hot-weather trip. The country averages 7.2 hours of sunshine, giving outdoor plans a useful amount of sun without guaranteeing clear skies throughout your stay. Midday is a sensible time to aim for the beach if you want the warmest-feeling conditions; mornings and evenings call for more flexibility with layers. An average of 2 rainy days makes rain a relatively small concern, not something to rule out. Keep plans adjustable, and favour accommodation with a heated pool if cool sea water would put you off swimming.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates in January FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates in January?
Dubai is the warmest of the 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates in January with an average high of 24.0°C; Abu Dhabi is the coolest at 23.2°C.
Is the sea warm in United Arab Emirates in January?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Dubai (22°C) in January.
Is January warm enough for swimming?
The sea averages 22°C in Dubai and 21°C in Abu Dhabi. That can suit a swim, but it is not bath-like warmth. If you are sensitive to cool water, Dubai has a slight edge, though neither destination guarantees comfortable swimming for everyone.
How much warmer is it than London in January?
The United Arab Emirates averages 24°C by day, compared with London's 7°C. That is a substantial change for daytime clothing and outdoor plans, but evenings still warrant a layer, with the country averaging 15°C at night.
Can January days get hotter than the average?
Yes. In Dubai, the warmest destination in the figures, 36% of January days exceed 25°C. The 24°C daytime average is therefore a useful guide rather than a daily limit. Pack for warmer spells as well as cooler evenings.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.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