January is one of the cooler months of the year in New Britain, with average highs near 1.4°C and lows around -6.6°C (mean -2.6°C). It is about average for rainfall, averaging 89 mm of rainfall and 87% relative humidity across the period.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in New Britain. Across 45 years of records, the warmest January in New Britain was 2023 — when the month averaged 2.2°C — while the coldest was 1982 at -7.7°C. Typical January days reach 1.4°C with nights near -6.6°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.7°C per decade.
January is about average for rainfall in New Britain, averaging 89 mm of rainfall. The wettest January on record was 2024 with 191 mm, while the driest was 1981 at 19 mm.
Relative humidity in New Britain during January averages 87%. The most humid January was 1987 at 95%, and the least humid was 2025 at 77%.
January receives about 1.8 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in New Britain. The sunniest Januarys were 2012, 2016 and 2025 at 2.1 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest was 2023 at 1.5.
Average wind speed in New Britain during January is 1 m/s. The windiest Januarys were 1997, 2000 and 2004 at 1.2 m/s, while the calmest were 2001, 2002 and 2023, among others at 0.9 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -4.5°C | -2.0°C | -2.7°C | -2.6°C | -0.9°C | +3.6°C |
| Avg High | -0.3°C | 2.1°C | 1.2°C | 1.4°C | 2.9°C | +3.2°C |
| Avg Low | -8.6°C | -6.1°C | -6.6°C | -6.6°C | -4.8°C | +3.8°C |
| Avg Rain | 87 mm | 114 mm | 73 mm | 82 mm | 92 mm | +5 mm |
January temperatures in New Britain have risen by about 4.3°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
January has ranged from a record low of -23.6°C (2011) to a record high of 17.3°C (2007).
Rainfall in January is about average for rainfall, averaging 89 mm, with a wettest year of 191 mm.
A quieter season to visit New Britain
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of August and July tend to be the most comfortable for visiting New Britain. That said, January — with days averaging 1.4°C and nights around -6.6°C (mean -2.6°C) and higher rainfall (89 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 | -2.7°C | -6.2°C | 9.1°C | -14.7°C | 37 mm | 77% | 1.1 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2024 🌧️ | 3.2°C | -0.5°C | -4.1°C | 13.6°C | -11.3°C | 191 mm | 89% | 1 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2023 🔥 | 5.9°C | 2.2°C | -1.6°C | 12.3°C | -5.0°C | 146 mm | 90% | 0.9 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2022 | 0.7°C | -3.6°C | -7.9°C | 11.2°C | -15.8°C | 73 mm | 81% | 1.1 m/s | 2 |
| 2021 | 2.0°C | -1.7°C | -5.4°C | 8.6°C | -15.1°C | 54 mm | 88% | 1 m/s | 2 |
| 2020 | 4.7°C | 0.6°C | -3.4°C | 15.7°C | -11.3°C | 50 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2019 | 1.4°C | -2.8°C | -7.1°C | 12.5°C | -18.4°C | 131 mm | 86% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2018 | 0.7°C | -3.5°C | -7.6°C | 12.8°C | -21.7°C | 96 mm | 87% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2017 | 3.6°C | 0.5°C | -2.6°C | 12.6°C | -13.2°C | 84 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 1.6 |
| 2016 | 3.0°C | -1.0°C | -5.1°C | 13.8°C | -13.5°C | 57 mm | 82% | 1.1 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2015 | -0.7°C | -5.0°C | -9.2°C | 8.6°C | -19.4°C | 98 mm | 87% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2014 | 0.0°C | -4.2°C | -8.5°C | 12.2°C | -18.1°C | 74 mm | 84% | 1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2013 | 2.4°C | -1.4°C | -5.3°C | 14.2°C | -14.1°C | 47 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 2 |
| 2012 | 4.0°C | -0.2°C | -4.4°C | 11.6°C | -13.6°C | 77 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2011 | -1.1°C | -5.2°C | -9.2°C | 8.2°C | -23.6°C | 83 mm | 92% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2010 | 0.9°C | -3.0°C | -6.9°C | 12.6°C | -15.1°C | 71 mm | 88% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2009 | -1.6°C | -5.7°C | -9.7°C | 4.2°C | -17.9°C | 75 mm | 90% | 1 m/s | 2 |
| 2008 | 3.5°C | -0.6°C | -4.6°C | 14.5°C | -14.5°C | 59 mm | 84% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2007 | 3.7°C | -0.1°C | -4.0°C | 17.3°C | -16.2°C | 92 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2006 | 4.7°C | 1.0°C | -2.8°C | 13.7°C | -13.6°C | 132 mm | 92% | 1 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2005 | 0.1°C | -3.9°C | -7.9°C | 13.3°C | -19.4°C | 100 mm | 90% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 2004 | -3.4°C | -6.9°C | -10.3°C | 8.4°C | -19.7°C | 45 mm | 85% | 1.2 m/s | 2 |
| 2003 | -1.9°C | -5.7°C | -9.6°C | 4.4°C | -18.6°C | 46 mm | 87% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2002 | 5.1°C | 1.3°C | -2.4°C | 16.6°C | -8.4°C | 55 mm | 84% | 0.9 m/s | 1.7 |
| 2001 | 1.2°C | -2.9°C | -7.0°C | 6.8°C | -12.9°C | 55 mm | 91% | 0.9 m/s | 1.9 |
| 2000 | 0.6°C | -3.7°C | -7.9°C | 13.6°C | -17.7°C | 68 mm | 84% | 1.2 m/s | 1.8 |
| 1999 | 3.1°C | -1.3°C | -5.8°C | 13.8°C | -14.9°C | 153 mm | 83% | 1 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1998 | 4.6°C | 0.9°C | -2.9°C | 14.4°C | -14.0°C | 140 mm | 89% | 1 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1997 | 1.4°C | -2.7°C | -6.7°C | 10.6°C | -18.0°C | 104 mm | 86% | 1.2 m/s | 1.7 |
| 1996 | -0.2°C | -4.6°C | -9.0°C | 13.1°C | -23.3°C | 153 mm | 94% | 1.1 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1995 | 4.0°C | 0.5°C | -3.1°C | 15.2°C | -11.5°C | 86 mm | 87% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 1994 | -2.2°C | -7.0°C | -11.9°C | 9.9°C | -21.0°C | 143 mm | 92% | 1.1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 1993 | 2.4°C | -1.4°C | -5.2°C | 12.5°C | -11.0°C | 69 mm | 87% | 1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 1992 | 2.3°C | -2.0°C | -6.2°C | 12.1°C | -14.1°C | 78 mm | 84% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 1991 | 1.4°C | -2.7°C | -6.7°C | 8.6°C | -16.0°C | 85 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 1990 | 3.9°C | 0.4°C | -3.2°C | 11.2°C | -9.2°C | 130 mm | 90% | 0.9 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1989 | 3.0°C | -1.0°C | -5.0°C | 9.8°C | -15.8°C | 46 mm | 85% | 1 m/s | 1.8 |
| 1988 | -0.6°C | -4.6°C | -8.5°C | 7.6°C | -18.8°C | 85 mm | 90% | 1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 1987 | -0.6°C | -4.6°C | -8.7°C | 8.9°C | -20.0°C | 142 mm | 95% | 1.1 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1986 | 2.1°C | -2.3°C | -6.6°C | 10.4°C | -17.8°C | 130 mm | 83% | 1.1 m/s | 1.9 |
| 1985 | -1.1°C | -5.0°C | -8.9°C | 9.9°C | -15.6°C | 30 mm | 84% | 1.1 m/s | 2 |
| 1984 | -1.3°C | -5.5°C | -9.6°C | 5.4°C | -21.2°C | 64 mm | 93% | 0.9 m/s | 1.6 |
| 1983 | 1.9°C | -2.1°C | -6.2°C | 12.0°C | -16.3°C | 123 mm | 84% | 1 m/s | — |
| 1982 ❄️ | -3.3°C | -7.7°C | -12.1°C | 13.1°C | -21.9°C | 148 mm | 91% | 1.1 m/s | — |
| 1981 | -3.1°C | -7.6°C | -12.1°C | 5.9°C | -20.0°C | 19 mm | 86% | 1 m/s | — |
Actual recorded January data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in January is around 1.4°C with lows near -6.6°C (mean -2.6°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
January averages 89 mm of rainfall in New Britain, about average for rainfall. The wettest on record was 191 mm in 2024.
The hottest January reached 17.3°C in 2007. The coldest dipped to -23.6°C in 2011.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average January temperatures have risen by about 4.3°C. Daytime highs moved from -1.4°C to 2.5°C and overnight lows from -9.8°C to -5°C over the same span.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in New Britain and about average for rainfall, so plan for around 1.4°C daytime highs and -6.6°C at night.
Yes — January is the coldest month of the year in New Britain, averaging -2.6°C.
For January in New Britain, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of 1.4°C and lows of -6.6°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in January averages 87% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in January is 1 m/s. The windiest January on record averaged 1.2 m/s (1997).
The wettest January on record was 2024 with 191 mm. On average, January sees 89 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 New Britain 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.
