January weather forecast
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

January is the midst of the Antarctic summer in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and is typically the warmest month of the year. The average temperatures during this month range from 3°C (37.4°F) to 8°C (46.4°F). Although still cold by general standards, these temperatures are relatively milder compared to the rest of the year.

In January, the islands' primary settlement, Grytviken, experiences similar weather conditions. Positioned on the northern coast of South Georgia, this former whaling station experiences marginally milder conditions due to the surrounding ocean. The temperatures can occasionally peak above the island average, providing slightly warmer conditions for its limited inhabitants and visiting researchers.

One notable aspect of January weather is the reduced wind speeds compared to the storm-prone spring and autumn months. Winds generally range around 10km/h (6.2mph), but there is still the potential for occasional gusts, particularly in more exposed areas or during storm events.

Precipitation is relatively less frequent compared to other months, with January being one of the driest months of the year. However, 'dry' in the context of these islands still implies a significant amount of rainfall, as weather changes rapidly and can include both clear, sunny periods and bouts of rain or snow.

The wildlife is particularly active during this month. The warmer temperatures and increased sunlight hours create the perfect conditions for various bird species, seals, and penguins to breed and raise their young.

Compared to December, the previous month, January temperatures are slightly higher and more stable. Similarly, the frequency of storms and extreme wind events decreases. However, looking ahead to February, there is little significant change in overall conditions, though temperatures may marginally decrease towards the end of the month as the islands gradually transition towards autumn.

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• South Georgia Island - January »
  The high-temperature during January is 5.5°C (41.9°F) and the low-temperature is 0.7°C (33.3°F). South Georgia Island's average high-temperature marks a still wintry 5.5°C (41.9°F) with the advent of January, closely mirroring that of the preceding month.
• Grytviken - January »
  In Grytviken in January, during 15.7 snowfall days, 208mm (8.19") of snow is typically accumulated. January and February, with an average relative humidity of 91%, are most humid months in Grytviken, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
• Stromness - January »
  The months with the highest UV index in Stromness are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 1. The months with the lowest UV index in Stromness, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, are January through December, with an average maximum UV index of 1.