January 3 is generally a great time to visit Edinburgh. While there is a slight chance of rain (36%), showers are usually brief. Expect comfortable 6°C weather. It's a great middle-ground for visiting Edinburgh—enough activity to feel the pulse, but no overwhelming lines.
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Essential Travel Info for Edinburgh
Currency
GBP
£ British pound
Language
English
Driving
Left side
Connect
As of Nov 2023, the entire city and its ...
Safety
High Safety
GPI: 1.667
Edinburgh Weather Forecast for January 3
"Mild & Comfortable. Expect average highs of 5.9°C. 36% chance of snow."
What to Wear in Edinburgh in January
Based on historical data for January 3, Edinburgh typically experiences temperatures between 2°C and 5.9°C. We recommend packing heavy coat, scarf, gloves along with other layers to stay comfortable. With a 36% chance of rain, keeping a raincoat or umbrella handy is a smart move.
Complete Packing Guide
Weekly breakdown & essential items for Edinburgh
Smart Suitcase
- Heavy Coat
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Umbrella
Average High
5.9°C
Daytime Peak
Average Low
2°C
Nighttime Low
Feels Like
1.7°C
❄️ Slightly colder
Snow Chance
36%
Avg 2.2mm if it snows
Snowfall
0.2 cm
~36% chance
Pressure
1008.4 hPa
High volatility
Edinburgh Weather Conditions & UV Index
Weather Confidence
30-year variance analysis
Based on 10 years of data
🎯 This date historically delivers consistent weather 94% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.
Sun Exposure
UV Index & Safety Guide
Protection Needed
SPF 15 for extended outdoor time
Type I-II
🔴 400 min to burn
Type III-IV
🟡 600 min to burn
Type V-VI
🟢 1000 min to burn
UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.
Outdoor Comfort
How pleasant is it outside?
Dew Point
3.6°C
Dry air
Heat Stress
Low
No heat warning
😕 Best outdoor time:
Midday (11 AM - 3 PM) when warmest
Marine Conditions
Marine Life
No special warnings. Enjoy the swim!
Swim Index
❄️ Cold Water Hazard
Travel & Logistics Insights
Local Calendar
Business Day
Standard hours in United Kingdom
Flight Traffic
Moderate
56/100 pressure index
Health Advisory
Required
1 vaccine • View Details →
Landing Slots
~118
Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)
Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Edinburgh
Daylight & Sun
Solar Elevation Cycle
🌅 Sunrise
08:44
☀️ Noon
12:18
🌇 Sunset
15:52
⏱️ Daylight
7h 7m
Wind Speed
25.2 km/h
Moderate wind
Sunshine
2.7 hrs
Direct Sun (Cloud-free)
Humidity
85%
Humid / Damp
Travel Intelligence
Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Edinburgh
Smart Flight Estimator
Airport-to-Airport Logistics
unlock smart flight estimates
Add your home location in settings to see airport details.
Travel Health & Safety in Edinburgh
Travel Comfort Index
Real-time tourism conditions
Weather Quality
⛅ Good
Tourist Crowds
🟢 Moderate
Price Level
💰💰 Moderate
Health & Wellbeing
Meteo-Health Forecast
Rapid pressure changes detected. High risk for meteosensitive people.
Low pressure & humidity may aggravate joints.
Fish are active due to pressure changes.
Air quality is excellent. Perfect for outdoor activities.
Regional Safety Profile
Seismic Activity
Zero seismic activity detected in 30 years.
"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Edinburgh on January 3 averages 5.9°C with a 36% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 36/100."
— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology
Edinburgh Weather History (2010–2024)
Temperature History
Hall of Fame
Records from last 10 years
Better Alternatives Nearby
Consider these dates within ±7 days
December 27
6°C • 31% rain
Score
43
December 28
6.1°C • 31% rain
Score
43
January 9
6°C • 30% rain
Score
42
💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions
Compare Other Cities
Same date (January 3) in other destinations
🌍 Explore the same date in different destinations around the world
📍 Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting on January 3?
Planning a trip to Edinburgh on January 3? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year offers a bracing seasonal atmosphere averaging 5.9°C with a 36% historical precipitation risk.
✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 118 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating manageable crowd levels.
💉 Health Advisory: 8 vaccinations are recommended for United Kingdom, including COVID-19.
🌊 Coastal Conditions: Water temperature averages 6.3°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally lake-like with heights around 0.43m.
📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest January 3 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 11.1°C in 2023, while the coldest dropped to -0.9°C in 2025.