What is the weather like in Galway in January?

Expect temperatures between 4°C and 8°C with 36% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Galway in January?

Galway in January scores 61/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Decent conditions for most activities.

Who should visit Galway in January?

January in Galway is ideal for: Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Adventure seekers.

Galway Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

8°C

Hottest around day 12

Avg Low

4°C

Coolest around day 8

Rainy Days

31days

36% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Sea Temperature in January

Coastal Waters(Ocean)

7.2°C

Monthly Average

Water Feel

🥶Polar Plunge

Consider a wetsuit for extended swimming

Swim Rating

❄️Cold water hazard

Based on average sea surface temperature

Body of Water

Coastal Waters

Ocean

Galway coastline

Essential Travel Info for Galway

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

EUR

€ Euro

Language

English

+1 more

Driving

Left side

Connect

As of 2025, Galway has 5G with all Irish...

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.288

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Galway

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Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Ireland. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Ireland.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Ireland.If rabies exposures occur while in Ireland, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is January a Good Time to Visit Galway?

👌Decent conditions for most activities(61/100)

Short Answer

Galway's January averages 8°C - cold but manageable with proper attire. Lower tourism (50% of peak) means better prices and fewer queues.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Very high humidity

86% average humidity

Rough sea conditions

1.73m average wave height - Surfers Only

Cold sea - swimming challenging

7.2°C sea temperature - Polar Plunge

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Hantavirus, Parvovirus B19

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

50% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Good For

🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🎯
Adventure seekers
1.73m waves - good for surfing and water sports

Who Should Avoid

🏖️
Beach lovers
Sea temperature only 7.2°C - too cold for comfortable swimming
👴
Elderly travelers
86% humidity creates difficult conditions
📸
Photographers
77% cloud cover limits natural light opportunities
💑
Honeymoon couples
Wedding score only 49/100 - better months available

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Galway in January averages 8°C with 36% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Galway in January

What are the temperatures in Galway in January?

Daytime highs average 8°C, nights drop to 4°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Galway in January?

Expect around 31 days with measurable rainfall. An umbrella is advisable.

What to wear in Galway in January?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is January peak season in Galway?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Galway Weather in January

Sea Temperature in January

Galway January Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Galway

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is January a Good Time to Visit Galway?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Galway in January

What are the temperatures in Galway in January?

How many rainy days in Galway in January?

What to wear in Galway in January?

Is January peak season in Galway?