January is part of Kuwait's mild winter season with comfortable daytime temperatures and cool nights-good for outdoor activities. This is a popular period for visitors escaping colder climates elsewhere.
SeasonHigh SeasonTemperature 13-20°C (55-68°F)Crowds HighPrices High
High seasonShoulderLow season
Weather by City in January
CityLow / highRain
Al Ahmadi
Cool
7°18° 21 mm
Hawally
Cool
7°18° 26 mm
Sabah Al-Salem
Cool
7°18° 24 mm
Farwaniya
Cool
7°18° 26 mm
Fahaheel
Cool
8°18° 21 mm
Kuwait City
Cool
7°18° 23 mm
Riqqa
Cool
7°18° 22 mm
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Temperature map
-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Average temperature across Kuwait in January.
Where to Go in Kuwait in January
Kuwait City & Coastal Plain
Salmiya, Sharq, Al Kout
January nights are cool and pleasantly crisp along the Corniche, with daytime highs usually in the mid to high teens Celsius; you’ll feel a real winter lightness compared with summer heat. Rain showers are uncommon but most likely now, and a storm can briefly flood low-lying streets around Salmiya and city malls - bring a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes. Travelling is easy: clear air means good visibility for the Kuwait Towers and the waterfront promenades, and layers are useful for chilly evenings.
Northern Desert & Jahra Plain
Jahra, Mutla Ridge, northern farms
January nights in the northern desert are markedly cooler than the coast - clear skies push temperatures down and you can feel a true winter bite after sunset near Jahra and the Mutla Ridge. Daytime sun is pleasant and often dry, good for driving the long desert roads, but bring warm layers since temperatures can drop close to freezing during unusual cold snaps. Roads can be slippery if winter storms bring rain, and camping requires solid bedding for cold nights.
Southern Desert & Oilfields
Al Ahmadi, Mina Abdullah, Wafra
January is one of the few months when the southern oil towns feel genuinely mild and pleasant, with daytime highs in the high teens to low 20s°C and crisp nights that show how dry the inland air is. Occasional rainfalls help revive the sparse scrub and make Wafra’s farms briefly more verdant; outdoor work and site visits are straightforward with warm layers for evenings. Industrial sites and visitor centres operate normally - bring a jacket for wind-exposed locations.
Islands & Gulf Waters
Failaka, Bubiyan, Kubbar, Umm al-Maradim environs
January on the islands brings crisp, cool air and very clear visibility across the Gulf - a good time for short boat trips to Failaka if services run after a calm night. Rain is most likely in winter; a wet frontal system can cancel island ferries and make small piers slippery. Dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket: mornings off Bubiyan are sharp and chilly even when the coast is milder.
Events & Festivals in January
There are no major festivals or events in Kuwait during January to be aware of.
Planning a trip to Kuwait?
See how January compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.
