Last updated: August 27, 2025
January in Irkutsk, Russian Federation is characterized by bitterly cold temperatures and a frosty ambiance. The maximum temperature hovers around -5°C (24°F), while the average temperature dips to a frigid -19°C (-1°F), reaching extremes as low as -41°C (-41°F). Despite the chill, the city experiences light precipitation totaling 12 mm (0.5 in), falling over approximately 4 days, contributing to the frosty landscape. High humidity levels of 94% enhance the chill factor, creating a truly wintry atmosphere that defines January in this Siberian city. For locals and visitors alike, warm attire is essential to embrace the cold beauty of Irkutsk during this time.
In Irkutsk, January presents an icy embrace, with minimum temperatures plummeting to a chilling -41°C (-41°F) and an average of -19°C (-1°F), reflecting the heart of winter’s grasp. Although the maximum can reach a comparatively balmy -5°C (24°F), the overall experience remains frigid, setting the tone for a season that sees temperatures gradually rising in February to -40°C (-39°F) at their coldest, while the averages inch upward. As the months progress, a noticeable trend emerges: temperatures steadily increase from winter's depths into the milder warmth of spring, with March offering an average of -5°C (23°F) and typical maximums beginning to flirt with positive digits. This gradual transition signals the slow but certain approach of more temperate days ahead, culminating in a transformation by April, where highs can tease the mid-twenties in degrees Celsius. Thus, January in Irkutsk serves as a frozen backdrop, heralding the subsequent shift towards spring's thawing embrace.
In January, Irkutsk experiences a modest precipitation level of 12 mm (0.5 in), delivered over just four days. This sets the tone for the winter months, where February follows closely with a slight decrease to 11 mm, maintaining a similar pattern in both volume and frequency. However, as the seasons transition towards spring, precipitation begins to increase, peaking in July with a hefty 96 mm (3.8 in) across 12 days. This upward trend is mirrored in the spring months, where March and April see a gradual rise in both precipitation amount and days of rainfall, suggesting a shift from the dry winter to the wetter summer months. The annual cycle illustrates a distinctive pattern in Irkutsk, highlighting the stark contrast between the dry winter and the lush, rain-laden summer.
In January, Irkutsk experiences its highest humidity level at a notable 94%, creating a cold, damp atmosphere characteristic of the winter months. As the season progresses into February, humidity slightly decreases to 90%, maintaining a sense of chill. The trend gradually shifts as spring approaches, with March seeing a decrease to 81% and April dropping further to 73%, offering a refreshing change. By May, humidity levels continue to decline to 67%, coinciding with the blossoming of spring. The warm summer months introduce a slight uptick, with July reaching 71% and August at 73%, providing a balance between warmth and moisture. As autumn arrives, humidity levels rise again, peaking in December at 96%, just above January's levels, indicating the cyclic nature of Irkutsk’s climate. Throughout the year, this dynamic fluctuation in humidity reflects the region's transition between its distinctly moist winters and mildly humid summers.
In Irkutsk, January sees a UV Index of 1, categorized as low, which allows for safe sun exposure with a burn time of 45 minutes. This low UV level is consistent with the winter months, as February follows closely with a UV Index of 2, maintaining the low exposure category. As spring approaches in March and April, we notice a shift: the UV Index rises to 4 and 5 respectively, indicating moderate exposure and reducing reasonable burn times to 30 minutes. By May, the sun's intensity peaks, with a high UV Index of 7 and a burn time of just 25 minutes. This pattern continues into the summer months of June and July, where a very high UV Index of 8 drastically shortens safe exposure time to 15 minutes. August marks a slight decrease back to a high of 7, reminiscent of the increasing intensity seen earlier in the season. A downward trend sets in as autumn approaches, with September and October registering moderate levels before returning to lower indices in November and December. The cyclical fluctuations in the UV Index throughout the year highlight the importance of UV awareness across all seasons. For more detailed information, you can check out the Irkutsk UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
In January, Irkutsk experiences a modest 166 hours of sunshine, laying the groundwork for a gradual increase as winter wanes. By February, the daylight hours climb to 247, signaling the slow return of brightness. This trend continues through the spring months, reaching 310 hours in March and 333 hours in April, as nature awakens from its slumber. The sunshine peaks in the summer, with June basking in a delightful 376 hours, and remains plentiful through July. However, as autumn descends, the hours begin to dwindle, starting with 342 hours in August and tapering off to 280 hours by October. The cycle of light continues its annual dance, culminating in January once again, where the cycle of renewal begins anew amid the crisp winter air.
In Irkutsk, the likelihood of experiencing sunny weather in January is relatively low, with a mere 17% chance of clear skies. This sets the stage for a gradual increase in sunshine as the year progresses; February sees a slight rise to 29%, and by March, the odds jump to nearly half at 48%. Following this upward trend, April and October offer more optimistic forecasts, reaching 40% and 53% respectively. The shift from winter to spring not only brightens the days but also sets the tone for a more vibrant summer, where the chances of sunshine hover around 39% during the peak months. Overall, while January may feel gloomy, the sun gradually becomes a more frequent visitor to Irkutsk as the seasons change.
In Irkutsk, January marks the start of the year with only 8 hours of daylight, setting a dim tone as winter deepens. As the month of love approaches, February offers a slight increase to 9 hours. However, it is in March that daylight begins to noticeably surge, climbing to 11 hours and signaling the arrival of spring. By April, the sun graces the city for 13 hours, building anticipation for warmer days ahead. May ushers in even longer daylight, reaching 15 hours, while June and July shine with the peak of 16 hours, embodying the height of summer. As the year progresses, daylight gradually decreases, with August offering 14 hours before returning to 12 hours in September. By October, days shorten to 10 hours, and the cycle continues as daylight dwindles to 8 hours in November, before a mere 7 hours closes out the year in December. This rhythmic shift in daylight serves as a poignant reminder of nature’s cycles, making each month a unique experience in the vibrant landscape of Irkutsk.
In January, the wind in Irkutsk blows steadily at an average speed of 2.5 m/s (6 mph), marking the beginning of a gradual rise in wind velocity throughout the winter months. As the year progresses into February and March, we see a slight increase, with winds picking up to 2.6 m/s and 2.7 m/s, respectively. This consistent upward trend continues into spring, reaching 2.9 m/s in April. However, as summer approaches, the winds begin to mellow, dipping to 2.3 m/s in July before making a mild comeback in the autumn months, where speeds hover around 2.7 m/s to 2.8 m/s. Ultimately, December winds settle back to a gentle 2.2 m/s, closing the year on a calm note. This pattern showcases a seasonal rhythm where the cold months bring a brisk but steady breeze, while warmer periods experience lighter wind conditions.
Weather in Irkutsk varies notably across the year, with each month offering distinct climate conditions. This page compares January’s weather to other months in Irkutsk, focusing on differences in temperature, rainfall, humidity, and UV levels.
January and February both experience harsh winter weather, but February shows a slight improvement in temperatures. In January, the average temperature hovers around -19°C (-1°F) with extremes dropping to -41°C (-41°F) and only reaching a maximum of -5°C (24°F). Precipitation is minimal, with about 12 mm (0.5 inches) over four days, alongside high humidity at 94%. Conversely, February sees a modest rise in temperatures, with an average of -16°C (3°F) and a maximum that can reach up to 5°C (41°F). Precipitation decreases slightly to 11 mm (0.4 inches), while humidity levels also drop to 90%. For more detailed information on February weather in Irkutsk, you can check Irkutsk weather in February.
In January, the weather is significantly harsher, with temperatures plunging to a minimum of -41°C (-41°F) and averaging around -19°C (-1°F), resulting in a maximum of just -5°C (24°F). The high humidity at 94% contributes to the biting cold, and precipitation is limited to 12 mm (0.5 in) over only four days. In contrast, March brings a notable improvement in conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -30°C (-22°F) to a pleasant maximum of 12°C (54°F), averaging -5°C (23°F). Although precipitation increases slightly to 16 mm (0.6 in) across the same four days, the humidity drops to a more comfortable 81%. For more detailed information about the climate, visit Irkutsk weather in March.
In January, Irkutsk experiences severe winter conditions, with temperatures plummeting to a bone-chilling minimum of -41°C (-41°F) and an average around -19°C (-1°F). The month sees limited precipitation, with only 12 mm (0.5 in) over four days, and humidity levels remain high at 94%. In stark contrast, April brings a significant shift in weather, featuring milder temperatures that range from a minimum of -11°C (13°F) to a comfortable maximum of 28°C (82°F), with an average of 4°C (39°F). Precipitation increases slightly to 19 mm (0.8 in) across six days, while humidity decreases to a more comfortable 73%. For a detailed look at the weather in April, visit Irkutsk weather in April.
The weather in January is notably harsh, with frigid temperatures ranging from a minimum of -41°C (-41°F) to an average of -19°C (-1°F) and a maximum of just -5°C (24°F). The humidity is high at 94%, creating a biting cold atmosphere that is further exacerbated by the low precipitation of only 12 mm (0.5 in) over four days. In stark contrast, May brings a dramatic shift, with temperatures soaring to a minimum of -4°C (24°F) and averaging 10°C (50°F) before peaking at a warm 31°C (89°F). Precipitation also increases in May to 48 mm (1.9 in) over 11 days, with humidity decreasing to a more comfortable 67%. To learn more about the weather specifics in May, visit Irkutsk weather in May.
In January, Irkutsk experiences frigid temperatures, with averages around -19°C (1°F) and extreme lows plummeting to -41°C (-41°F). The month sees only 12 mm (0.5 in) of precipitation across about 4 days, but the air remains strikingly humid at 94%. In stark contrast, June brings a mild climate with an average temperature of 16°C (61°F) and highs soaring to 33°C (92°F). During this month, precipitation increases to 47 mm (1.8 in) over roughly 10 days, accompanied by a significant drop in humidity to 64%. For more detailed weather information, you can visit Irkutsk weather in June.
In January, Irkutsk experiences severe winter conditions, with temperatures plummeting to a minimum of -41°C (-41°F) and averaging around -19°C (-1°F). The city sees only minimal precipitation, totaling 12 mm over approximately 4 days, contributing to a frigid humidity level of 94%. In stark contrast, July brings a dramatic change, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 8°C (46°F) to a maximum of 32°C (90°F) and an average of 19°C (66°F). The month is much wetter, accumulating 96 mm of precipitation across about 12 days, along with a more moderate humidity level of 71%. For more detailed information, you can check Irkutsk weather in July.
In January, temperatures in Irkutsk plunge to a minimum of -41°C (-41°F), with an average of -19°C (-1°F) and a maximum of only -5°C (24°F). The month experiences low precipitation levels of 12 mm over just four days, coupled with a high humidity of 94%, making the cold feel even more biting. Conversely, August brings a dramatic shift, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 4°C (39°F) to a maximum of 30°C (86°F) and an average of 17°C (63°F). Precipitation increases significantly to 88 mm over twelve days, and humidity decreases to 73%, resulting in a much more temperate and humid atmosphere. For more details on the warm summer conditions, check Irkutsk weather in August.
In January, the weather is harshly frigid, with temperatures plunging to as low as -41°C (-41°F) and averaging around -19°C (-1°F). The month sees minimal precipitation of just 12 mm over four days, accompanied by high humidity levels of 94%, contributing to a stark, wintry landscape. In contrast, September brings a significant warming, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -1°C (31°F) to a pleasant maximum of 26°C (79°F) and an average of 11°C (52°F). This month experiences higher precipitation at 75 mm spread over ten days, and while humidity drops to 84%, the overall atmosphere feels much more temperate and inviting. For more details on September weather in Irkutsk, you can visit Irkutsk weather in September.
In January, the weather in Irkutsk is characterized by extreme cold, with minimum temperatures plummeting to -41°C (-41°F) and average lows around -19°C (-1°F). Contrarily, October offers a much milder climate, with minimum temperatures around -8°C (18°F) and average values rising to 3°C (37°F). Precipitation also increases in October, totaling 25 mm (1.0 in) over 6 days, compared to January’s 12 mm (0.5 in) over just 4 days. Humidity remains high in both months, but is slightly lower in October at 84% compared to January's 94%. For more details, you can visit Irkutsk weather in October.
In comparing the weather conditions of January and November, January is notably harsher, with average temperatures around -19°C (1°F) and extreme lows plunging to -41°C (-41°F). In contrast, November enjoys comparatively milder temperatures, with averages reaching -7°C (20°F) and highs of up to 10°C (50°F). Both months experience similar levels of precipitation, around 12 to 13 mm over four days, but November's slightly lower humidity at 90% compared to January's 94% adds to its more bearable climate. For more specifics on the weather in November, you can refer to this link: Irkutsk weather in November.
In comparing the weather between January and December, we see some notable differences. January experiences slightly lower temperatures, with an average of -19°C (1°F) compared to December’s average of -17°C (2°F). December also has a higher maximum temperature of 3°C (38°F), making it feel a bit milder. Additionally, January sees less precipitation, totaling 12 mm over 4 days, while December records 19 mm over 5 days, indicating that December is not only wetter but also slightly more humid at 96% compared to January's 94%. For more details on December weather, you can check out Irkutsk weather in December.
As January settles over Irkutsk, the city experiences its coldest embrace of winter, setting it apart from the milder months that surround it. While temperatures plunge dramatically, averaging a brisk -19°C, the biting cold can dip even further to -41°C. This month sees minimal precipitation, with just a few snowy days adding to the serene winter landscape. The high humidity level, at 94%, contributes to the frosty air that characterizes this time of year. Overall, January's frigid climate starkly contrasts with the more temperate conditions of other months, making it a true hallmark of Siberian winter. For those curious about the broader climate patterns in this region, be sure to check out Irkutsk Climate.