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Is the weather good in Iraq in January 2025?
Great Weather
☀️
SunnyFor the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Iraq during January have been around +14°C.
The weather differs across the Iraq in January. You may encounter maximum temperatures of +14°C at noon in Najaf and +9°C in Sulaymaniyah. So plan your activities, and packing, based on the individual locations rather than the country as a whole.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
☀️
+14°C
Avg. max. temperature
-16°C
Min.
+28°C
Max.
50 mm
Total precipitation
70%
Avg. humidity
1 m/s
Avg. wind
13 ☀️
Sunny Days
13 ⛅️
Cloudy
5 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Iraq has great weather in January.
Iraq in January – what city is the…
- rainiest? Sulaymaniyah, with an average of 3 mm of rain and humidity of 75%;
- warmest? Najaf, with daytime temperatures averaging +17°C;
- windiest? Najaf, with an average of 2 m/s;
- coolest? Sulaymaniyah, with daytime temperatures averaging +9°C;
How good is the weather in Iraq in January?
During January, the Iraq offers great weather: average air pressure of around 1010 HPa, 17 sunny days and as little as 25 mm in precipitation and 2 rainy days. The humidity, of course, varies depending on whether you're near the coast, inland, or up in the mountains – in January the range is between 65% in Najaf and 75% in Sulaymaniyah.
How warm is it in Iraq during January?
There is rarely a shortage of sun in Iraq and heat during January – a country to travel to thaw out in daytime temperatures around +14°C degrees.
This is how hot it usually is in January
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Iraq. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for January:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +14°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +3°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +14°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +3°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
- Warmest: July with an average +43°C during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +14°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in Najaf;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in Sulaymaniyah;
Winds in Iraq during January
Wind speed in Iraq in January based on historical data:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
January tends to offer light winds averaging 2 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average wind speed: Najaf with 2 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Sulaymaniyah with 1 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Najaf with 3 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Baghdad with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Iraq in January
Amount of rainfall in mm during January in Iraq based on historical data:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
January is usually an extra dry month with 43% humidity and 25 mm rain.
Comparison between cities in January:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
- Highest average rainfall: Sulaymaniyah with 85 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Najaf with 15 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Erbil with 7 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Najaf with 2 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Erbil with 23%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Najaf with 6%;
- Highest average humidity: Sulaymaniyah with 75%;
- Lowest average humidity: Najaf with 65%;
Snow
Amount of snow in mm. during January in Iraq based on historical data:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
Total snow in January is about 1 mm, with a 0% chance of snow on a typical day.
Comparison between cities in January:
Average
Baghdad
Sulaymaniyah
Erbil
Najaf
- Highest average snowfall: Sulaymaniyah with 14 mm;
- Lowest average snowfall: Baghdad with 0 mm;
- Most number of snowy days: Sulaymaniyah with 1 snowy days;
- Least number of snowy days: Baghdad with 0 snowy days;
- Highest chance of snow during the day: Sulaymaniyah with 3%;
- Least chance of snow during the day: Baghdad with 0%;
Tips for traveling to Iraq in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Iraq? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Iraq based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Sunny, warm weather with light winds and medium humidity in January
Pack right for January
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
- Sunshine does give you a nice color and a boost of vitamin D. However, if you don't have a lot of skin pigment, you should sunbathe carefully to avoid burning yourself, getting sun rash and, in the worst case scenario, skin cancer. This is where sunscreens and opaque clothing work particularly well. Another safe way is to stay in the shade when the sun burns the most, roughly between 9 am and 3 pm.
- Warm - neither hot nor cool, are probably the most comfortable when you think of sunbathing. Shorts, shorter skirts or dresses, tank tops and t-shirts are the basics here. If you're going to a seaside resort, don't forget your swimwear and maybe even a snorkel, mask and flippers.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- Low humidity makes it easier to regulate the temperature closest to your body with the clothes you are wearing. You also won't sweat as much as with higher levels of humidity. However, very low humidity can lead to drier mucous membranes and irritated eyes - you might want to pack something for that.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Iraq in January:
What can you do outside when it's warm in Iraq?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is January a good time to visit Iraq?
Yes, January is a great time to go to Iraq, the weather couldn’t be better, so be ready to be outside to explore and enjoy. Check other months when is a good time to visit Iraq.
Monthly weather in Iraq
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Iraq, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2022.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.