When to go · Jordan
Jordan in January
Mixed month. Cold and wet in Amman and Petra, sometimes snow; Dead Sea and Aqaba are mild. Isra and Mi'raj early in the month (check).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Jordan
- Prices
- Low
- Jordan
Verdict
Cold and wet in Amman and Petra, sometimes snow; Dead Sea and Aqaba are mild. Isra and Mi'raj early in the month (check).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- MarchGreatSpring flowers and mild days; Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in 2027 change opening hours (check).
- AprilGreatBest month for Petra, Wadi Rum and walking; Easter groups; book Petra hotels early.
- OctoberGreatSecond peak: warm days, cool nights; first flash-flood risk after autumn rain.
- NovemberGreatClear and mild; nights cold in Wadi Rum. Carry a layer.
Weather in January
- Amman and the highlands · Amman, Jerash, Madaba, Ajlounrainy
At 700–1,100 m: cold wet winters with the odd snowfall, dry summers in the low 30s °C with cool nights.
- Dead Sea and Jordan Valley · Dead Sea resorts, Baptism Site, Wadi Mujibbest weather
400 m below sea level: winter is mild (20–25 °C (68–77 °F)), summer reaches 40 °C (104 °F)+; the Mujib Siq trail only opens roughly April–October (check).400 m below sea level: winter is mild (68–77 °F (20–25 °C)), summer reaches 104 °F (40 °C)+; the Mujib Siq trail only opens roughly April–October (check).
- Petra, Dana and Wadi Rum · Wadi Musa, Dana, Wadi Rumcool
Petra sits near 1,000 m: freezing winter nights and occasional snow; flash floods Oct–Apr. Desert days are hot Jun–Aug but nights are cool.
- Aqaba and the Red Sea · Aqaba, Tala Bay, south coastbest weather
Warm swimming water all year; summer 40 °C (104 °F)+. The winter sun escape of the country.Warm swimming water all year; summer 104 °F (40 °C)+. The winter sun escape of the country.
- Eastern Desert: Eastern plateau (Badiya) · Amman to Azraq and the Saudi bordercold
Desert plateau at about 900 m: cold winter nights, hot dry summers. Spring and autumn are the comfortable windows; summer is early-morning only.
- King's Highway: Highland highway · Madaba to Kerak to Danacool
Spring and autumn are the comfortable months; summer afternoons on the exposed stretches run hot, and winter nights at Dana are cold.
- Northern Jordan: Amman and the northern hills · Amman, Jerash, Ajlun, Irbid, Saltcool
Hills are cooler than the Jordan Valley; winters can be cold and wet, with occasional snow in Amman. Summers are dry and hot.
- Northern Jordan: Jordan Valley (Pella) · Below sea levelfine
Much hotter than Amman; avoid midday in summer.
- Southern Desert: Aqaba and the coast · Red Sea coastbest weather
Winter is mild and good for diving; summer is very hot and humid. Sea temperatures stay swimmable most of the year.
- Southern Desert: Wadi Rum and the desert interior · Inland plateauscool
Desert nights are cold from November to March; summer days exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Spring and autumn are the best window.Desert nights are cold from November to March; summer days exceed 104 °F (40 °C). Spring and autumn are the best window.
- Amman12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
- Ajlun12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 5 rain days
- Irbid13 °C (55 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 12 rain days
- Kerak12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain days
- Madaba13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
- Mafraq12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain days
- Pella17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 8 rain days
- Petra14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
- Qasr Amra12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 2 rain days
- Salt12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
- Tala Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 2 rain days
- Umm Qais12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 5 rain days
- Wadi Rum15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 3 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 3 rain days
- Zarqa13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 8 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
Public holiday; banks and offices closed.
Isra and Mi'raj
About 5 Jan 2027 (lunar — check)
Public holiday; government offices shut.
Coldest month
Coldest month; occasional snow closes hilltop roads for a day.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Jordan
- Low
- Prices · Jordan
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Jordan, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
Mar: Great (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Mar: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 3
Mar: 3
January: Cold and wet in Amman and Petra, sometimes snow; Dead Sea and Aqaba are mild. Isra and Mi'raj early in the month (check).
March: Spring flowers and mild days; Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in 2027 change opening hours (check).
Jordan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast