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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 23 June 2026 by the Oz Monitorly Weather Desk. Data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
For January weather across Australia, plan for the hottest and most humid month of the year: daytime maxima typically range from 25°C in southern capitals to over 40°C inland, with tropical northern regions seeing daily highs around 32–35°C and high humidity. This means you should prepare for heatwaves and possible storms, especially in the east.
What are the typical January maximums and minimums in each capital city?
In Sydney, January averages 26–28°C, with coastal sea breezes offering some relief; the city gets about 100 mm of rain in the month (january weather sydney). Melbourne is slightly cooler, with maxima around 25–27°C, and variable conditions including occasional cool changes (january weather melbourne). Brisbane sees 29–30°C and high humidity, while Adelaide averages 28–30°C and often experiences dry, sunny days (january weather adelaide). Perth’s January temperatures sit around 30–31°C, with low humidity and almost no rainfall (perth january weather 2026). Hobart runs cooler at 21–22°C. Darwin is the most consistently hot and wet, with daily maxima of 33°C and heavy monsoonal rain.
What weather events should I watch for in January?
January is the peak of the Australian summer, bringing heatwaves across the south and east, tropical cyclones in the north, and severe thunderstorms in New South Wales and Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology often issues extreme heat warnings and severe weather alerts (january weather nsw). Fire danger is high in many parts, particularly Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia. For the latest conditions and warnings, check the Severe Weather Warning page.
Is January the hottest month in Australia?
For most of southern Australia, January is the hottest month, with average maximums peaking at 25–30°C in capitals. In the tropical north, November to December are often slightly hotter, but January remains very warm and humid due to the monsoon.
How much rain does Sydney get in January?
Sydney receives about 100 mm of rain in January, spread over 10–12 days. Most falls as short, heavy showers or thunderstorms, with occasional east coast lows bringing longer wet periods. Humidity is generally high.
Should I expect bushfires in January?
Yes, particularly in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. January is the peak of the fire season in many areas. Check the Australia weather hub for fire danger ratings and total fire ban updates.