Mongolia

Mongolia Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Mongolia in January.

Thinking about venturing to Mongolia this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Mongolia in January

January in Mongolia generally has very cold temperatures, with precipitation levels ranging from almost none to low. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -15°C (5°F) in Ulaanbaatar to -7°C (19°F) in Dalanzadgad. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -19°C (-2°F) in Dalanzadgad and -28°C (-18°F) in Ulaanbaatar. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

To explore the conditions in Mongolia in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no snowfall in Zamiin Ude with an average of 1.9 mm (0.1 in) to low snowfall in Baitag with 6.1 mm (0.2 in). Going by our weather data, this month in Ulaanbaatar usually has the least rain, making it the driest month of the year.

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Ulaanbaatar as an example - it receives around 180 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore Mongolia by month

Best Places to Visit in Mongolia in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Mongolia.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Mongolia

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Mongolia?

Temperature range in Mongolia (January)

Precipitation variation in Mongolia (January)

Ulaanbaatar

In January Ulaanbaatar generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -15°C (5°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -28°C (-18°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-13°C (9°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Min temperature
-25°C (-13°F)
-28°C (-18°F)
-24°C (-11°F)
Monthly sun hours
154 hours
180 hours
205 hours
Monthly snowfall
4.8 mm (0.2 in)
3.6 mm (0.1 in)
6.1 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
4 days
3 days
3 days
Weather conditions

Gobi desert

In January Gobi desert generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -10°C (14°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -23°C (-9°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-8°C (18°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Min temperature
-20°C (-4°F)
-23°C (-9°F)
-19°C (-2°F)
Monthly snowfall
2.8 mm (0.1 in)
2.4 mm (0.1 in)
3.4 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
3 days
3 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Baitag

In January Baitag generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -11°C (12°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -23°C (-9°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-10°C (14°F)
-11°C (12°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Min temperature
-21°C (-6°F)
-23°C (-9°F)
-20°C (-4°F)
Monthly sun hours
178 hours
201 hours
215 hours
Monthly snowfall
8 mm (0.3 in)
6.1 mm (0.2 in)
6.6 mm (0.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
4 days
4 days
3 days
Weather conditions

Baruun Urt

In January Baruun Urt generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -14°C (7°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -25°C (-13°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-14°C (7°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Min temperature
-22°C (-8°F)
-25°C (-13°F)
-22°C (-8°F)
Monthly sun hours
183 hours
203 hours
216 hours
Monthly snowfall
5 mm (0.2 in)
3.4 mm (0.1 in)
5.5 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
4 days
4 days
3 days
Weather conditions

Dalanzadgad

In January Dalanzadgad generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C (19°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -19°C (-2°F) and almost no monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-17°C (1°F)
-19°C (-2°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly snowfall
2.9 mm (0.1 in)
2.2 mm (0.1 in)
3.7 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
3 days
3 days
2 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Mongolia.

In our records: Mongolia January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Mongolia in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • Based on our data, the coldest January night in Mongolia dropped to -48°C (-54°F) in Ulan Gom on January 5, 1977.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Mongolia in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Ulaanbaatar -15°C (5°F) -28°C (-18°F) 3.6 mm (0.1 in)
Baruun Urt -14°C (7°F) -25°C (-13°F) 3.4 mm (0.1 in)
Ölgii -15°C (5°F) -28°C (-18°F) 2.2 mm (0.1 in)
Tsetserleg -11°C (12°F) -24°C (-11°F) 3.9 mm (0.2 in)
Dalanzadgad -7°C (19°F) -19°C (-2°F) 2.2 mm (0.1 in)
Saikhan-ovoo -9°C (16°F) -23°C (-9°F) 2.3 mm (0.1 in)

Mongolia weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Mongolia in January?

In January, Mongolia generally has poor weather conditions. Ulaanbaatar sees daytime temperatures near -15°C (5°F), with nights cooling to roughly -28°C (-18°F).

What is the average temperature in Mongolia in January?

Daytime temperatures in Ulaanbaatar peak at roughly -15°C (5°F) in January, dropping to about -28°C (-18°F) overnight.

Does Mongolia get a lot of snow in January?

January is on the drier side in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar averages only about 3.6 mm (0.1 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Mongolia?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Ulaanbaatar, January may not be the ideal time to visit Mongolia.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in June, July and August offering mostly perfect weather in Ulaanbaatar. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, March, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Mongolia.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Mongolia? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Mongolia.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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