When to go · Manchester
Manchester in January
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 14
- Crowds
- Low
- United Kingdom overall
- Prices
- Low
- United Kingdom overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- MayGreatInside Manchester's best window: May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets.
- JuneGreatInside Manchester's best window: May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets.
- JulyGreatInside Manchester's best window: May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets.
- AugustGreatInside Manchester's best window: May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets.
Weather in January
- ManchesterHighs around 7 °C (45 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 45 °F (7 °C), lows around 36 °F (2 °C), rain on about 14 days
- Northern England and Wales, United Kingdom · York, Manchester, Lake District, Snowdonia (Eryri), Cardiffrainy
Uplands catch the Atlantic rain; May–June and September are the clearest walking months.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United Kingdom overall
- Low
- Prices · United Kingdom overall
- Low
United Kingdom overall: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Manchester, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 7 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7 °C)
May: 16 °C (61 °F)61 °F (16 °C)
Night low
Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 14
May: 10 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Prices
Jan: Low
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
May: 0
January: Outside the best window (May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets). Across United Kingdom: Short grey days, sales and cheap hotels; good for London museums and theatre, poor for the Highlands.
May: Inside Manchester's best window: May–Sep (long daylight, outdoor drinking); Dec for Christmas markets.
Manchester: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast