- Updated on: 2024-08-29
January in Santorini is typically unpredictable and uncomfortable for those who prefer sunny and warm weather. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about this fact.
Although the temperatures on our island are always positive and there is no snow even in the middle of winter, the first half of January in Santorini is often cloudy and rainy, sometimes very heavy. Additionally, the island can experience strong winds, sometimes reaching hurricane force, during this month.
The picture doesn’t look good, does it? It’s actually not that bad 🙂
What is the weather like in Santorini in January
Don’t think that in winter we have some kind of total and hopeless rainy season, and every day only frustrates with bad weather – not at all! That is, of course, the rainy season in Santorini is in January, and there are often cloudy days. However, they do change from time to time into perfectly clear and sunny days. It can even get up to +22 degrees in the shade, and the sun can get really hot!
On average, in January, the air temperature drops even lower and can fluctuate within a fairly wide range. For example, the air can get up to +17 degrees during the day and cool down to +7 degrees at night.
Air and water temperatures in January in Santorini are sometimes similar, but the water is often warmer: +17 degrees in the sea and +15 degrees in the air
Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island
Nevertheless, the weather in Santorini during the Christmas holidays is still more pleasant than upset, but in the second half of January in Santorini it always becomes noticeably colder and wetter.
Now for the details.
Air temperature in Santorini in January
What can we say: there is certainly no comparison with summer, and even for many of the locals the weather here on the island seems simply nightmarish. It is particularly bad in the second half of January, and even though there are some pleasant warm days, the average daily temperature in January is only +14 degrees Celsius. It is cold!
Oddly enough, nighttime temperatures do not differ much from daytime temperatures in Santorini. In January, the temperature can drop to single digits on some nights, but the average temperature during the month is about +13 degrees. January is the coldest month of the year.
The graph below shows the air temperatures observed in Santorini during January. The blue graph displays the nighttime temperatures, while the orange graph shows the daytime temperatures. The data is presented for each day of the month for the past several years. As you can see, the graphs display a jagged pattern of fluctuation:
Sometimes weather anomalies occur on our island. Fortunately, they rarely concern low temperatures, and the coldest day we had a temperature of 0 degrees. The hottest day in January was +22 degrees in the shade!
Do not forget about strong winds: they can change the feeling of the weather very, very noticeably. And there will be a lot of windy days in January! One-third of the month will have strong winds, another third will have moderate winds, and the remaining days may have a light breeze or no wind at all. Anyway, even in this case it is better to have some kind of windbreaker or even jacket in case of sharp change of weather.
Water temperature in Santorini in January
The sea temperature during this time is stable and predictable. Usually, by January, the sea cools down to +17 degrees. In fact, in January, the water temperature in the sea often matches the air temperature!
The water temperature in Santorini in January is 17 degrees
Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island
Is it possible to swim in Santorini during January? Let’s put it this way: yes, it is possible, but only on very sunny and hot days. The temperature of the sea is higher in early January, and there is a higher likelihood of sunny days too.
In the second half of January, the sea in Santorini cools even more, and the water temperature is usually around +16 degrees. Swimming may not be pleasant during periods when the wind is blowing and the sun is not shining 🙂
The chart displays the sea temperatures in Santorini during January. The data has been collected for each day over several years:
In January, the sea is actually warmer than the air. This is quite surprising!
Sunny days and precipitation in Santorini in January
Based on our experience, we can expect 7-10 days of sunshine in January. As the month progresses, it tends to become cloudier and less sunny. On average, the sun shines for 10 hours a day. January in Santorini is one of the darkest months of the year:
At the beginning of the month, sunrise on the island occurs approximately at 7:30, and sunset in Santorini in January can be seen at 17:15. Near the end of the month the time changes: you will need to wake up a little earlier, because the sunrise is already around 7:20, while the sunset on the contrary will be later – approximately at 17:45.
Rains in Santorini in January
Alas, alas, alas… Unfortunately, yes. There will be! They surely will! The island experiences its highest rainfall in January. Speaking of the rainy season in Santorini, that definition applies to this particular month. On average, it rains for about a week. However, the rainy days are often shifted closer to the middle or end of the month. Therefore, right after the Christmas Eve you can sunbathe, but in late January you can hardly do it:
As for the amount of precipitation in January, it is also maximum. The rains become more intense, and during the month about seven centimeters of water pours out on our island. Sometimes it looks like heavy and prolonged downpours:
Rains in Santorini in January are extremely likely, and there will definitely be heavy downpours during the month
Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island
What can be useful for holidays in Santorini in January
This month is very wet, cold and windy – even by Santorini standards. January is the rainiest and one of the coldest months of the year on our island. Nevertheless, despite the somewhat jagged nature of the weather in January, it’s not a bad time to explore the island. During the winter months it is quiet, peaceful and not busy at all – in a word, it is a great time for a calm and measured vacation! Except that periodic rains can interfere with contemplation of sunsets… But it’s possible to walk through absolutely empty streets, where during the summer months hundreds of thousands of tourists walk! 🙂
Are you planning a holiday in Santorini in January? Or are you already on the island? We are happy to help you organise your vacation! Check out tips, services and offers:
