Aberdeen in January

In January, Aberdeen averages 6°C (43°F) during the day and 1°C (34°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 17 days of the month see precipitation (75 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Expect daily rain or showers, often in heavy bursts.

January is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Aberdeen. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

6°C
Avg high
1°C
Avg low
17
Rain days
75 mm
Rainfall
2
Snow days

How January compares to the rest of the year in Aberdeen

12th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
7 h 22 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Aberdeen (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (12°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (7°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (7°C).

January sunrise & sunset in Aberdeen

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
8:36 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
3:58 PM
Day length
7 h 22 min

Times shown for Aberdeen local time (Europe/London), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Aberdeen — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Aberdeen's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
7:36 AM – 8:16 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
8:16 AM – 9:16 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
3:18 PM – 4:18 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
4:18 PM – 4:58 PM
Aurora visibility
Fair
Aurora is possible from Aberdeen but requires a strong geomagnetic event (Kp 5+) plus clear skies — chase nights, don't count on them.

📅 When to book — Aberdeen in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Aberdeen's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — January in Aberdeen

Shoulder

Aberdeen is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Aberdeen

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
1.6
Low
Minimal sun protection needed for normal activity.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Aberdeen in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 6°C / 43°F 1°C / 34°F 75 mm 17 2
February 7°C / 45°F 1°C / 34°F 55 mm 14 2
March 9°C / 48°F 2°C / 36°F 60 mm 15 1
April 11°C / 52°F 3°C / 37°F 55 mm 13 0
May 14°C / 57°F 5°C / 41°F 55 mm 12 0
June 17°C / 63°F 8°C / 46°F 60 mm 11 0
July 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 75 mm 12 0
August 18°C / 64°F 10°C / 50°F 80 mm 13 0
September 16°C / 61°F 8°C / 46°F 75 mm 13 0
October 12°C / 54°F 6°C / 43°F 90 mm 15 0
November 9°C / 48°F 3°C / 37°F 90 mm 17 1
December 7°C / 45°F 1°C / 34°F 85 mm 17 2

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Aberdeen in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Aberdeen in January?

In January, Aberdeen averages a high of 6°C (43°F) and a low of 1°C (34°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Aberdeen in January?

January is quite rainy in Aberdeen, with about 17 rainy days on average and roughly 2 snow days.

Is January a good time to visit Aberdeen?

January is cold but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Aberdeen in January?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for Aberdeen for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Aberdeen on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.