Jerusalem in January

In January, Jerusalem averages 13°C (55°F) during the day and 5°C (42°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 14 days of the month see precipitation (58 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

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

13°C
Avg high
5°C
Avg low
14
Rain days
58 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Jerusalem

12th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
19%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
10 h 18 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Jerusalem (12th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 11°C below the annual average (24°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (15°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (15°C).

January sunrise & sunset in Jerusalem

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:39 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
4:57 PM
Day length
10 h 18 min

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

Photography light in Jerusalem — January

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

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:39 AM – 6:19 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:19 AM – 7:19 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:17 PM – 5:17 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:17 PM – 5:57 PM

📅 When to book — Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem'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 Jerusalem

Shoulder

Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.7
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 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.

Jerusalem in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 13°C / 55°F 5°C / 42°F 58 mm 14
February 15°C / 58°F 6°C / 44°F 55 mm 13
March 18°C / 64°F 8°C / 47°F 48 mm 13
April 23°C / 74°F 12°C / 53°F 20 mm 8
May 28°C / 82°F 16°C / 60°F 13 mm 6
June 30°C / 86°F 18°C / 64°F 2 mm 2
July 33°C / 91°F 20°C / 67°F 0 mm 0
August 33°C / 91°F 20°C / 68°F 0 mm 1
September 31°C / 87°F 19°C / 66°F 4 mm 3
October 26°C / 79°F 16°C / 61°F 19 mm 9
November 20°C / 67°F 12°C / 53°F 39 mm 13
December 15°C / 59°F 8°C / 46°F 46 mm 12

Other cities with similar January weather

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

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Jerusalem in January?

In January, Jerusalem averages a high of 13°C (55°F) and a low of 5°C (42°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Jerusalem in January?

January can be fairly wet in Jerusalem, with about 14 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Jerusalem?

January is cool but on the rainy side. 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 Jerusalem in January?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for Jerusalem for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Jerusalem on the interactive map

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