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Voykit

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

MixedVoykit month rating for Jordan

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:

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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Desert nights are cold from November to March; summer days exceed 40 °C (104 °F). Spring and autumn are the best window.

  • Amman12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Ajlun12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days
  • Irbid13 °C (55 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kerak12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days
  • Madaba13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Mafraq12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days
  • Pella17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 8 rain days
  • Petra14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days
  • Qasr Amra12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 2 rain days
  • Salt12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days
  • Tala Bay20 °C (68 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 2 rain days
  • Umm Qais12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 5 rain days
  • Wadi Rum15 °C (59 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 3 rain days
  • Zarqa13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 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

    Amman

    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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Dead Sea and Jordan Valley

    Best weather of the year (Dead Sea resorts, Baptism Site, Wadi Mujib)

  • Aqaba and the Red Sea

    Best weather of the year (Aqaba, Tala Bay, south coast)

  • Qasr Amra

    Best months: Oct–Apr

  • Tala Bay

    Best months: Oct–May (warm sea, less heat than summer)