January is one of the cooler months of the year in Inverness, with average highs near -1.6°C and lows around -7.5°C (mean -4.5°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 85 mm of rainfall and 88% relative humidity across the period.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in Inverness. Across 45 years of records, the warmest January in Inverness was 2023 — when the month averaged -0.6°C — while the coldest was 1985 at -8.3°C. Typical January days reach -1.6°C with nights near -7.5°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.7°C per decade.
January is about average for rainfall in Inverness, averaging 85 mm of rainfall. The wettest January on record was 1982 with 193 mm, while the driest was 1992 at 33 mm.
Relative humidity in Inverness during January averages 88%. The most humid January was 1985 at 96%, and the least humid was 1996 at 81%.
January receives about 1 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Inverness. The sunniest Januarys were 1992, 2024 and 2025, among others at 1.2 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 1993 and 1994 at 0.8.
Average wind speed in Inverness during January is 2.7 m/s. The windiest January was 1982 at 3.2 m/s, while the calmest was 1984 at 2.2 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -5.6°C | -5.2°C | -4.7°C | -3.8°C | -2.7°C | +2.9°C |
| Avg High | -2.4°C | -1.8°C | -2.0°C | -1.0°C | -0.1°C | +2.3°C |
| Avg Low | -8.7°C | -8.5°C | -7.5°C | -6.7°C | -5.3°C | +3.4°C |
| Avg Rain | 100 mm | 57 mm | 91 mm | 92 mm | 90 mm | -11 mm |
January temperatures in Inverness have risen by about 3.8°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
January has ranged from a record low of -24.1°C (1982) to a record high of 12°C (2006).
Rainfall in January is about average for rainfall, averaging 85 mm, with a wettest year of 193 mm.
Daytime highs and overnight lows have shifted differently — highs rose about 0.5°C per decade while lows rose 0.8°C per decade, narrowing the gap between day and night.
A quieter season to visit Inverness
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of August and July tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Inverness. That said, January — with days averaging -1.6°C and nights around -7.5°C (mean -4.5°C) and higher rainfall (85 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -0.8°C | -3.0°C | -5.3°C | 5.8°C | -11.8°C | 94 mm | 88% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2024 | -0.5°C | -2.9°C | -5.2°C | 5.8°C | -9.2°C | 50 mm | 85% | 2.7 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2023 🔥 | 2.0°C | -0.6°C | -3.2°C | 8.8°C | -8.3°C | 111 mm | 88% | 2.3 m/s | 1 |
| 2022 | 0.3°C | -3.6°C | -7.5°C | 7.5°C | -13.8°C | 143 mm | 88% | 2.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2021 | 0.1°C | -1.8°C | -3.6°C | 5.5°C | -7.9°C | 57 mm | 87% | 2.4 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2020 | -1.6°C | -4.2°C | -6.8°C | 6.9°C | -13.8°C | 82 mm | 92% | 2.4 m/s | 1 |
| 2019 | -1.0°C | -4.4°C | -7.8°C | 8.3°C | -14.2°C | 85 mm | 89% | 2.5 m/s | 1 |
| 2018 | -1.5°C | -4.8°C | -8.2°C | 11.0°C | -16.6°C | 116 mm | 90% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 2017 | -0.6°C | -3.3°C | -6.0°C | 6.9°C | -15.0°C | 92 mm | 88% | 2.5 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2016 | -1.0°C | -3.4°C | -5.8°C | 7.2°C | -9.5°C | 80 mm | 90% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 2015 | -1.5°C | -5.3°C | -9.0°C | 8.4°C | -14.0°C | 104 mm | 88% | 2.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2014 | -1.4°C | -5.0°C | -8.5°C | 8.5°C | -15.5°C | 111 mm | 91% | 2.6 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2013 | -2.2°C | -4.7°C | -7.2°C | 8.9°C | -15.7°C | 39 mm | 87% | 3.1 m/s | 0.9 |
| 2012 | 0.6°C | -2.4°C | -5.5°C | 8.2°C | -9.0°C | 93 mm | 86% | 2.9 m/s | 1 |
| 2011 | -0.7°C | -2.7°C | -4.7°C | 3.8°C | -15.3°C | 113 mm | 90% | 2.9 m/s | 1 |
| 2010 | -0.7°C | -2.4°C | -4.1°C | 5.9°C | -11.2°C | 85 mm | 89% | 2.8 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2009 | -3.7°C | -6.8°C | -9.9°C | 6.3°C | -19.2°C | 87 mm | 89% | 2.9 m/s | 1 |
| 2008 | -0.7°C | -3.2°C | -5.8°C | 7.3°C | -16.7°C | 87 mm | 90% | 2.6 m/s | 1 |
| 2007 | -0.6°C | -3.2°C | -5.7°C | 8.6°C | -12.7°C | 117 mm | 86% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2006 | 1.8°C | -1.1°C | -4.0°C | 12.0°C | -8.3°C | 82 mm | 89% | 2.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2005 | -3.9°C | -6.5°C | -9.0°C | 6.6°C | -14.9°C | 71 mm | 89% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 2004 | -5.1°C | -7.5°C | -10.0°C | 2.3°C | -18.9°C | 38 mm | 89% | 3 m/s | 1 |
| 2003 | -3.8°C | -6.8°C | -9.8°C | 3.3°C | -17.2°C | 98 mm | 93% | 2.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2002 | -1.3°C | -3.5°C | -5.8°C | 5.3°C | -9.9°C | 78 mm | 89% | 2.7 m/s | 1 |
| 2001 | -2.5°C | -5.2°C | -7.8°C | 0.6°C | -12.3°C | 91 mm | 94% | 2.3 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2000 | -0.2°C | -3.6°C | -6.9°C | 8.8°C | -12.9°C | 161 mm | 89% | 2.8 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1999 | -0.9°C | -3.9°C | -7.0°C | 9.0°C | -16.2°C | 105 mm | 84% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1998 | -1.2°C | -4.2°C | -7.1°C | 7.1°C | -13.4°C | 120 mm | 90% | 3 m/s | 1 |
| 1997 | -1.1°C | -4.9°C | -8.8°C | 8.4°C | -15.9°C | 68 mm | 86% | 3.1 m/s | 1 |
| 1996 | -1.8°C | -4.9°C | -8.0°C | 8.9°C | -16.2°C | 34 mm | 81% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1995 | -0.2°C | -2.8°C | -5.4°C | 10.1°C | -14.9°C | 42 mm | 88% | 2.4 m/s | 1 |
| 1994 | -3.5°C | -7.8°C | -12.1°C | 7.7°C | -21.1°C | 52 mm | 86% | 2.8 m/s | 0.8 |
| 1993 | -2.9°C | -6.1°C | -9.2°C | 8.5°C | -21.5°C | 41 mm | 86% | 2.6 m/s | 0.8 |
| 1992 | -3.0°C | -5.7°C | -8.4°C | 7.7°C | -16.7°C | 33 mm | 85% | 2.8 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1991 | -3.5°C | -7.3°C | -11.2°C | 5.3°C | -20.0°C | 36 mm | 86% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1990 | -0.4°C | -4.2°C | -8.0°C | 7.8°C | -14.4°C | 45 mm | 87% | 2.4 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1989 | -1.4°C | -5.0°C | -8.6°C | 5.0°C | -14.4°C | 35 mm | 84% | 2.7 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1988 | -1.4°C | -4.9°C | -8.3°C | 8.1°C | -17.8°C | 38 mm | 89% | 2.6 m/s | 1 |
| 1987 | -2.3°C | -4.8°C | -7.3°C | 4.3°C | -14.5°C | 39 mm | 86% | 2.7 m/s | 0.9 |
| 1986 | -0.6°C | -4.3°C | -8.0°C | 9.3°C | -21.6°C | 70 mm | 86% | 2.8 m/s | 1 |
| 1985 ❄️ | -5.6°C | -8.3°C | -10.9°C | 1.1°C | -16.4°C | 100 mm | 96% | 3 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1984 | -2.5°C | -5.7°C | -8.8°C | 3.8°C | -16.1°C | 165 mm | 93% | 2.2 m/s | 1 |
| 1983 | -0.5°C | -3.0°C | -5.4°C | 8.1°C | -11.9°C | 147 mm | 88% | 2.6 m/s | — |
| 1982 🌧️ | -3.8°C | -7.1°C | -10.4°C | 6.6°C | -24.1°C | 193 mm | 91% | 3.2 m/s | — |
| 1981 | -3.5°C | -6.9°C | -10.2°C | 7.3°C | -19.0°C | 118 mm | 92% | 2.4 m/s | — |
Actual recorded January data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in January is around -1.6°C with lows near -7.5°C (mean -4.5°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
January averages 85 mm of rainfall in Inverness, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 193 mm in 1982.
The hottest January reached 12°C in 2006. The coldest dipped to -24.1°C in 1982.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average January temperatures have risen by about 3.8°C. Daytime highs moved from -3.2°C to 0.2°C and overnight lows from -9.1°C to -5°C over the same span.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in Inverness and about average for rainfall, so plan for around -1.6°C daytime highs and -7.5°C at night.
Not quite — January is the 2nd coolest month in Inverness, averaging -4.5°C.
For January in Inverness, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of -1.6°C and lows of -7.5°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in January averages 88% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in January is 2.7 m/s. The windiest January on record averaged 3.2 m/s (1982).
The wettest January on record was 1982 with 193 mm. On average, January sees 85 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Inverness behaves each January, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for January specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
