Nairobi weather in January
Nairobi in January averages 20°C (69°F), 61 mm of rain and 8.4 hours of sun a day.
Of the twelve months in Nairobi, January is the sixth wettest and the second sunniest.
- Average temp
- 20°C (69°F)
14–27°C · 58–80°F
- Rainfall
- 61 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 8.4 h
hours per day
What is Nairobi like in January?
Daytime
Days are warm, typically in the mid-20s°C or above.
Rain
Some rain is likely; pack for showers.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What should I pack for Nairobi in January?
High-factor sun cream
With 8.4 hours of sun a day, burn time is short even in shade.
Sunglasses and a brimmed hat
Midday glare is the part people underpack for, not the heat itself.
A light rain jacket
About 61 mm falls this month — showers rather than washouts.
A layer for the evening
The day swings about 12°C between its low and its high.
January compared with December and February
January in Nairobi is about the same temperature as December and 25 mm drier than it, which averages 20°C (69°F).
January in Nairobi is 0.6°C cooler than February and 22 mm wetter than it, which averages 21°C (70°F).
Daylight in Nairobi in January
On 15 January the sun is up for 12 hours 11 minutes in Nairobi, rising about 06:36 and setting about 18:47 local time.
Where to stay in Nairobi
Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Nairobi
What to read before you book.
Nairobi weather by month
TemperatureRainfall
How January compares with the rest of the year
January is highlighted. Every other month links to its own page.
| Month | Average | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 69°F | 61 mm |
| February | 21°C / 70°F | 39 mm |
| March | 22°C / 71°F | 75 mm |
| April | 21°C / 69°F | 126 mm |
| May | 20°C / 68°F | 103 mm |
| June | 18°C / 65°F | 27 mm |
| July | 18°C / 64°F | 11 mm |
| August | 18°C / 65°F | 18 mm |
| September | 20°C / 67°F | 19 mm |
| October | 21°C / 69°F | 48 mm |
| November | 20°C / 69°F | 128 mm |
| December | 20°C / 69°F | 86 mm |
Check another month
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FAQs about Nairobi in January
January climate averages for Nairobi, 1991–2020.
Nairobi averages 20°C (69°F) in January, ranging from about 14°C (58°F) at night to 27°C (80°F) in the afternoon. That is a 1991–2020 average, so an individual week can run either side of it.
Some. About 61 mm falls across January, enough to need a light jacket but not enough to reshape a trip.
No. January averages 20°C (69°F) against 21°C (70°F) in February — 0.6°C cooler.
January is about as warm as December, and 25 mm drier.
It is outside the easiest window. The most comfortable stretch here is June to October; January sits outside it, which usually means more heat, more rain, or both — worth it if you would rather have the place to yourself.
About 8.4 hours of sun a day on the 1991–2020 average — among the brighter months anywhere.
This page does not show today's weather. It is a 1991–2020 climate normal from Meteostat — a long-run average of what January is usually like, which is what you want when booking months ahead. For today or the coming week, check a live forecast.
About 12 hours 11 minutes of daylight in mid-January, against 12 hours 12 minutes in December and 12 hours 3 minutes in May.
On 15 January, sunrise is about 06:36 and sunset about 18:47 local time. Both shift across the month.
