Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for January
| Metric | Galway | Birmingham | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 8°C (46°F)▲ | -1°C (30°F) | Galway |
| Average LowHigher is milder | 4°C (39°F)▲ | -13°C (9°F) | Galway |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 16 days | 3 days▲ | Birmingham |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 102 mm | 33 mm▲ | Birmingham |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 4h/day▲ | 1h/day | Galway |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 65% | 65% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 25 km/h | 15 km/h▲ | Birmingham |
Galway and Birmingham are closely matched in January. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.
Galway is on the cooler side at 8°C, requiring warmer clothing. Birmingham is cooler at -1°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Birmingham is the stronger choice in January. Galway receives 3 more hours of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Galway reaches an average high of 8°C (46°F) and drops to 4°C (39°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 4°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.
Birmingham averages -1°C (30°F) for the high and -13°C (9°F) for the low, with a daily range of 12°C. There is a notable 9°C gap between the two cities, so expect a very different feel.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.
Galway receives approximately 102 mm of rainfall across 16 rain days during January. Rain is frequent, so waterproof gear is essential.
Birmingham sees 33 mm over 3 rain days. That makes Birmingham the drier option by 13 rain days and 69 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.
Highs of 8°C, lows of 4°C, 16 rain days
Highs of -1°C, lows of -13°C, 3 rain days
Pack for both: heavy winter coat, thermal base layers, warm gloves and hat, insulated boots, a warm scarf. These items are useful in either destination during January.
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. January is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Galway | Birmingham | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 8°C | 16d | -1°C | 3d |
| Feb | 9°C | 13d | 4°C | 3d |
| Mar | 10°C | 14d | 10°C | 4d |
| Apr | 12°C | 14d | 17°C | 5d |
| May | 15°C | 14d | 21°C | 6d |
| Jun | 17°C | 14d | 23°C | 6d |
| Jul | 18°C | 15d | 21°C | 6d |
| Aug | 18°C | 15d | 17°C | 5d |
| Sep | 16°C | 13d | 10°C | 4d |
| Oct | 13°C | 15d | 4°C | 3d |
| Nov | 10°C | 15d | -1°C | 3d |
| Dec | 8°C | 16d | -2°C | 3d |
Galway Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
Birmingham Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities