Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Inverness in January
This is the coldest month in Inverness: highs average 42°F (5°C) and lows 35°F (2°C), with about 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 40/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 42°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 35°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 2.8 in (72 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 83%
- Daylight
- ~6 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 40/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 42°F (5°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Nights cool to an average low of 35°F (2°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 2.8 in (72 mm).
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 83%.
Only about 6 h 59 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Comfort slips from 43/100 in December to 40/100.
- Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 2.8 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Inverness in January
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Hootananny
Pub with live Scottish trad music sessions most nights.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 42°F.
The Mustard Seed
Riverside restaurant in a former church with Scottish produce.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Leakey's Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop in a converted church with a wood stove.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Victorian Market
1870s covered arcade with independent shops and a food hall.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Clava Cairns
4,000-year-old burial cairns and standing stones in a grove.
Nearby in January
- Aviemore & the Cairngorms in January~25 mi · highs 39°F, 4.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Fort William in January~56 mi · highs 42°F, 7.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Edinburgh in January~112 mi · highs 42°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Dublin in January~296 mi · highs 46°F, 3.4 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~248 m to Inverness's ~19 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Inverness in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Inverness?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 40/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 42°F (5°C) and 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain. Our Scotland’s Highland Rail Line route recommends May – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Inverness in January?
Average highs are 42°F (5°C) and average lows 35°F (2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Inverness in January?
Some: about 2.8 in (72 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 36.3 in (921 mm).
What should I pack for Inverness in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 2.8 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Inverness in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.