January weather forecastWilmington, NC

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January

Weather in January

January's weather in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA experiences a notable drop in temperature coming from December. Cold air dominates with the lowest monthly average temperature reaching only 54°F (12.2°C). Precipitation also begins to increase making the city a bit more damp and chillier. However, the cold is usually not severe enough to hinder activities as there's still a considerable amount of daylight hours. Trails and walks on the beach can still be enjoyable despite the cool breeze.

Temperature

Temperature records mark January as the coldest month, with highs averaging 54°F (12.2°C) and lows at 40.1°F (4.5°C).

Humidity

January and March, with an average relative humidity of 73%, are the least humid months in Wilmington.

Rainfall

January is the month with the least rainfall. Rain falls for 11.9 days and accumulates 1.93" (49mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall in Wilmington are January through March. The month with the most snowfall is January, when snow falls for 0.8 days and typically aggregates up to 0.75" (19mm) of snow.

Ocean temperature

In Wilmington, in January, the average water temperature is 60.8°F (16°C).
Note: In water of 60.8°F (16°C), the majority of people do not enjoy swimming. Breathing becomes increasingly hard to manage as the temperature drops from 69.8°F (21°C) to 59°F (15°C).

Daylight

In Wilmington, the average length of the day in January is 10h and 11min.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:17 am and sunset at 5:12 pm. On the last day of January, in Wilmington, sunrise is at 7:09 am and sunset at 5:40 pm EST.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in January is 5.6h.

UV index

January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 3, are months with the lowest UV index. A UV Index value of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: In January, the average maximum UV index of 3 translates into the following recommendations:
Be mindful. Individuals with a lighter skin tone may suffer burns in less than 30 minutes. Direct exposure to the Sun's intense radiation around midday should be avoided for health reasons. On bright days sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays should be worn. A hat with a wide brim is extremely helpful, as it can prevent roughly 50% of UV radiation from reaching the eyes. Mind this! Nearly twice the UV radiation from the Sun can be reflected by the snow.

Updated: Feb 13, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

January stands out as Wilmington's coldest month, with temperatures ranging between an average high of 54°F (12.2°C) and a low of 40.1°F (4.5°C).

In January, the average high-temperature and low-temperature in Wilmington, North Carolina, are 54°F (12.2°C) and 40.1°F (4.5°C) respectively.

January and March, with an average relative humidity of 73%, are the least humid months.

The average relative humidity in January in Wilmington, North Carolina, is 73%.

January is the month with the least rainfall. Rain falls for 11.9 days and accumulates 1.93" (49mm) of precipitation.

In Wilmington, North Carolina, in January, it is raining for 11.9 days, with typically 1.93" (49mm) of accumulated precipitation.

The month with the most snowfall in Wilmington is January, when snow falls for 0.8 days and typically aggregates up to 0.75" (19mm) of snow.

January is the first month it typically snows in Wilmington, North Carolina. Throughout January, in the average 0.8 snowfall days, it receives 0.75" (19mm) of snow.

In January, the average ocean temperature is 60.8°F (16°C). For swimming, a surface water temperature of 60.8°F (16°C) is not enjoyable for the majority. It is not considered safe, as controlling breathing becomes progressively more difficult as water temperature decreases below 69.8°F (21°C).

In January, the average day length in Wilmington, North Carolina, is 10h and 11min.

In January, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:17 am and sunset at 5:12 pm. On the last day of the month, in Wilmington, North Carolina, sunrise is at 7:09 am and sunset at 5:40 pm EST.

In Wilmington, North Carolina, the average sunshine duration in January is 5.6h.

The months with the lowest UV index in Wilmington, North Carolina, are January, February and December, with an average maximum UV index of 3.

In Wilmington, the average daily maximum UV index in January is 3. A UV Index estimate of 3 to 5 represents a medium health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.

Today

Tomorrow

Long-term

Year January F M A M J J A S O N D

Dec

January

Feb

Average high temperature

58.1°F

54°F

57.7°F

Average low temperature

Average pressure

Average wind speed

Average max. wind speed

9.3mph

9.5mph

9.9mph

Average wind speed gusts

Average humidity

Average rainfall

Average rainfall days

Average snowfall

Average snowfall days

0.1

0.8

0.3

Average sea temperature

Average daylight

Average sunshine

Average sunshine days

17.5

17.1

15.1

Average UV index

Average cloud cover

Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Wilmington, NC

Average high temperature in January: 54°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (87.6°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (54°F).

Average low temperature in January: 40.1°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (75.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (40.1°F).

Average pressure in January
Wilmington, NC

Average pressure in January: 30.13"Hg

The months with the highest atmospheric pressure are January and December (30.13"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.97"Hg).

Average wind speed in January
Wilmington, NC

Average wind speed in January: 8.9mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (9.5mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (7mph).

Average humidity in January
Wilmington, NC

Average humidity in January: 73%

The months with the highest relative humidity are August, September and December (77%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are January and March (73%).

Average rainfall in January
Wilmington, NC

Average rainfall in January: 1.93"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is August (5.59").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (1.93").

Average rainfall days in January
Wilmington, NC

Average rainfall days in January: 11.9 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (22.3 days).
The month with the least rainy days is November (10.6 days).

Average snowfall in January
Wilmington, NC

Average snowfall in January: 0.75"

The month with the highest snowfall is January (0.75").
The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0").

Average snowfall days in January
Wilmington, NC

Average snowfall days in January: 0.8 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (0.8 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 days).

Average sea temperature in January
Wilmington, NC

Average sea temperature in January: 60.7°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (82.8°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (57.5°F).

Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Wilmington, NC

Average daylight in January: 10h and 12min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 24min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 54min).

Average sunshine in January: 5h and 36min

The months with the most sunshine are June and July (Average sunshine: 10h and 48min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 5h and 30min).

Average sunshine days in January
Wilmington, NC

Average sunshine days in January: 17.1 days

The month with the most sunshine days is October (18.1 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is August (6.3 days).

Average UV index in January
Wilmington, NC

Average UV index in January: 3

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 7).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February and December (UV index 3).

Average cloud cover in January
Wilmington, NC

Average cloud cover in January: 37

The months with the most cloud cover are February and December (Cloud cover 40).
The months with the least cloud cover are June and July (Cloud cover 27).

Average visibility in January
Wilmington, NC

Average visibility in January: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).