What is the weather like in Johannesburg in January?

Expect temperatures between 14°C and 25°C with 35% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Johannesburg in January?

Johannesburg in January scores 65/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Recommended for planning your trip.

Who should visit Johannesburg in January?

January in Johannesburg is ideal for: Elderly travelers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Heat-sensitive visitors.

Johannesburg Weather in January | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

25°C

Hottest around day 5

Avg Low

14°C

Coolest around day 19

Rainy Days

31days

35% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Essential Travel Info for Johannesburg

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

ZAR

R South African rand

Language

Afrikaans

+10 more

Driving

Left side

Connect

Always-On[dead link], +27 11 575-2505, p...

Safety

Moderate Safety

GPI: 2.283

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Johannesburg

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

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Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Well Connected

60/ 100

Traffic Index

Popular destination

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

May

Low

Jun

Monthly Traffic Distribution

270

Jan

269

Feb

269

Mar

296

Apr

300

May

245

Jun

262

Jul

297

Aug

283

Sep

286

Oct

247

Nov

296

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Cape Town (CPT)

Durban King Shaka (DUR)

Harare (HRE)

Port Elizabeth (PLZ)

Gaborone Sir Seretse Khama (GBE)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

9 Recommendations

COVID-19

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

Cholera

There is no longer active cholera transmission and vaccine is not recommended.

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to South Africa.Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.Travelers allergic to a vaccine component should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, are immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis B

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

Malaria

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of South Africa take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.Transmission areasAlong the border with Mozambique and ZimbabweKwaZulu-Natal Province: uMkhanyakude District; the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand (few cases)Limpopo Province: the districts of Mopani and Vhembe; the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg (few cases)Mpumalanga Province: Ehlanzeni DistrictKruger National ParkDrug resistanceChloroquineSpeciesP. falciparum(primarily)P. malariae,P. ovale, andP. vivax(less commonly)Recommended chemoprophylaxisKwaZulu-Natal Province (uMkhanyakude District); Limpopo Province (the districts of Mopani and Vhembe); Mpumalanga Province (Ehlanzeni District); and Kruger National Park: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine2All other areas with malaria transmission (including the districts of King Cetshwayo and Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal Province, and the districts of Capricorn, Greater Sekhukhune, and Waterberg in Limpopo Province): No chemoprophylaxis recommended (insect bite precautions and mosquito avoidance only)4Updated April 23, 2025See footnotes

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.

+3 more

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

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Is January a Good Time to Visit Johannesburg?

👍Recommended for planning your trip(65/100)

Short Answer

Johannesburg's January delivers on its reputation: 25°C, 35% rain, 10.9h sunshine. The trade-off? Peak crowds and prices at 90% capacity.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Peak tourist season

90% of annual peak - expect crowds and peak prices

Ideal temperature range

24.8°C - perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities

Health precautions needed

Be aware of: Leptospirosis, Melioidosis, Schistosomiasis

Plenty of sunshine

10.9h of sunshine daily

Good For

👴
Elderly travelers
Comfortable 24.8°C temperature range with manageable humidity
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🌡️
Heat-sensitive visitors
Manageable 24.8°C without oppressive humidity

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Johannesburg in January averages 25°C with 35% precipitation probability."

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Johannesburg in January

What are the temperatures in Johannesburg in January?

Daytime highs average 25°C, nights drop to 14°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Johannesburg in January?

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

What to wear in Johannesburg in January?

Comfortable casual wear with a light jacket for evenings.

Is January peak season in Johannesburg?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Johannesburg Weather in January

Johannesburg January Weather Calendar