Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Petra & Wadi Musa in January
This is the coldest month in Petra & Wadi Musa: highs average 56°F (13°C) and lows 37°F (3°C), with about 1.8 in (45 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 81/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 56°F (13°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 1.8 in (45 mm)
- Humidity
- 68%
- Cloud cover
- 43%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 15 min
- Comfort score
- 81/100 · Great
What January feels like
Days are mild at around 56°F (13°C): comfortable for walking all day, with a layer for the evening.
Lows average 37°F (3°C).
About 1.8 in (45 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's January.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are March – May and October – December.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort slips from 90/100 in December to 81/100.
- Our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route recommends Mar – May, Sep – Nov, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 37°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Petra & Wadi Musa in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
High Place of Sacrifice
Ridge-top Nabataean altar reached by a stepped trail, returning past tombs via Wadi Farasa.
Why now January scores 81/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Monastery (Ad Deir)
Climb about 800 rock-cut steps to Petra's largest facade and nearby viewpoints.
Why now Highs near 56°F and 1.8 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
The Siq and Treasury (Al-Khazneh)
A 1.2 km slot canyon opening onto Petra's carved Treasury facade.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Royal Tombs
Row of grand tombs carved into the cliff, with swirling colored sandstone inside.
Petra Kitchen
Evening cooking class where you make and eat a Jordanian mezze and main course.
Nearby in January
- Wadi Rum in January~52 mi · highs 58°F, 0.3 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, drier
- Dead Sea in January~96 mi · highs 65°F, 1.9 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Amman in January~116 mi · highs 55°F, 2.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Cairo & Giza in January~252 mi · highs 66°F, 0.3 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,114 m to Petra & Wadi Musa's ~888 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.
Petra & Wadi Musa in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Petra & Wadi Musa?
It's middling, scoring 81/100. The best months are March – May and October – December, at up to 100. Expect highs of 56°F (13°C) and 1.8 in (45 mm) of rain. Our Jordan: Petra, Wadi Rum & the Dead Sea route recommends Mar – May, Sep – Nov, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Petra & Wadi Musa in January?
Average highs are 56°F (13°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Petra & Wadi Musa in January?
Not much: about 1.8 in (45 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 6.4 in (163 mm).
What should I pack for Petra & Wadi Musa in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 37°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Petra & Wadi Musa
Planning Petra & Wadi Musa 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.