El Calafate in January
In January, El Calafate averages 16°C (61°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 10 days of rain (43 mm total).
High seasonConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
January in El Calafate is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in El Calafate
January is one of the warmest months in El Calafate (2nd of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C above the annual average (10°C). January runs 1°C warmer than December (15°C) and warms a further 1°C into February (17°C).
January sunrise & sunset in El Calafate
Times shown for El Calafate local time (America/Argentina/Rio_Gallegos), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in El Calafate — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in El Calafate's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — El Calafate 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 (High season) and El Calafate's popularity.
Crowds & pricing — January in El Calafate
This is a busy month in El Calafate — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather Southern Hemisphere summer holidays
Sun & mosquito risk — January in El Calafate
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.
El Calafate in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C / 61°F | 9°C / 48°F | 43 mm | 10 | — |
| February | 17°C / 62°F | 10°C / 49°F | 49 mm | 9 | — |
| March | 14°C / 56°F | 8°C / 46°F | 60 mm | 12 | — |
| April | 10°C / 51°F | 5°C / 41°F | 64 mm | 10 | — |
| May | 7°C / 44°F | 2°C / 36°F | 50 mm | 10 | — |
| June | 4°C / 39°F | 0°C / 31°F | 46 mm | 9 | — |
| July | 3°C / 37°F | -2°C / 29°F | 47 mm | 10 | — |
| August | 4°C / 39°F | -1°C / 30°F | 60 mm | 12 | — |
| September | 7°C / 44°F | 1°C / 33°F | 44 mm | 8 | — |
| October | 10°C / 49°F | 3°C / 38°F | 44 mm | 8 | — |
| November | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 42°F | 47 mm | 10 | — |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 47°F | 51 mm | 10 | — |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for El Calafate in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is El Calafate in January?
In January, El Calafate averages a high of 16°C (61°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in El Calafate in January?
January can be fairly wet in El Calafate, with about 10 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit El Calafate?
January is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for El Calafate in January?
Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for El Calafate for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.