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When to go · Ulaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar in January

Avoid month. −20 to −30 °C (−4 to −22 °F), smog; Tsagaan Sar closures some years.

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
−16°C (3°F) / −26°C (−15°F)
average high / low
Rain days
1
Crowds
Low
Mongolia overall
Prices
Low
Mongolia overall

Verdict

AvoidVoykit month rating for Ulaanbaatar

−20 to −30 °C (−4 to −22 °F), smog; Tsagaan Sar closures some years.

All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • UlaanbaatarHighs around -16 °C (3 °F), lows around -26 °C (−15 °F), rain on about 1 day
  • Ulaanbaatar and the centre, Mongolia · Ulaanbaatar, Terelj, Kharkhorin, Orkhon valleysmoke haze

    Coldest capital in the world: January averages about −20 °C (−4 °F). Coal and ger-stove smoke make winter air among the worst anywhere Nov–Feb. Summer is 20–28 °C (68–82 °F) by day with afternoon showers in July–August.

Long winter season

Deep cold, snow and ice, quiet museums, Tsagaan Sar in Feb.

Watch: Smog, −20 to −30 °C, ice, closed camps.

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

    Dec 31–Jan 1

    Fireworks and lights on the square in deep cold; restaurants book out.

  • Tsagaan Sar (Lunar New Year) big impact

    Feb 2027 (lunar, moves yearly — check) · Mongolia

    Three official days, but many shops and restaurants close for a week; families visit elders, transport out of the city is packed.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Mongolia overall
Low
Prices · Mongolia overall
Low

Mongolia overall: −20 to −30 °C and the worst smog of the year in Ulaanbaatar; city museums only.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ulaanbaatar, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    Jun: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: -16 °C (3 °F)

    Jun: 22 °C (72 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: -26 °C (−15 °F)

    Jun: 9 °C (48 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 1 (better)

    Jun: 9

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    Jun: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    Jun: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 2

    Jun: 1

January: −20 to −30 °C, smog; Tsagaan Sar closures some years.

June: Warm, long days; camps open.

Ulaanbaatar: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Mongolia in January →