Northern Territory Weather in January

Nature in the Northern Territory comes to life in the month of January. The Top End experiences high humidity with impressive Thunderstorms (and the occasional Cyclone). And even the usually dry Red Centre can see a few rainy days in an otherwise hot summer.

Contents

Top End Weather in January
Red Centre Weather in January
Average rainfall Northern Territory in January
Best things to do in Northern Territory in January

What is the weather like in Northern Territory in January?

As the Northern Territory stretches over 1600km | 994mi, it’s divided into two different climate zones:

The Top End with Darwin, Kakadu National Park and Katherine
The Red Centre with Alice Springs, Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park.

The Top End has two main seasons, Dry (May to October) and Wet (November to April),
Northern Territory’s Red Centre has four seasons.

Top End Weather in January

January is the middle of the Wet Season in the Top End (also known as the tropical summer), which lasts from November to April. The weather in Darwin and other coastal regions can be pretty wild during this time. Humidity is high, and so is the temperature. Afternoon thunderstorms tend to ease the heat a little. There’s also a chance of cyclones in January and some of the more remote areas might be inaccessible due to flooding.

While January is a rather wild month, it’s the best time for you to sit back and watch nature come to life! The landscape explodes into a lush green against the grey sky and you can witness the most spectacular thunderstorms and lightning!

Average sea temperatures in January

The average sea temperatures are a tropical 30°C | 86°F. Due to the rough weather, it’s not advised to swim in Northern Territory’s Top End in January, unless the safeguards give the green light.

Red Centre Weather in January

In January, summer is in full swing in the Red Centre and daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C | 95°F. Summer is also your best chance to experience rainy days in the desert and to see a number of small waterfalls running down Uluru.

Flies have their peak time during summer, so you might want to cover your face with a protective head net (they make a great souvenir, too).

Average temperature in Northern Territory

Region	Min °C	Max °C	Average °C	Min °F	Max °F	Average °F
Darwin	25	32	28.5	77	89.5	83.3
Kakadu NP	25	34	29.5	77	93.2	85.1
Katherine	24	34.5	29.2	75.2	94.1	84.5
Tennant Creek	24.5	37.5	31	76.1	81.5	87.8
Alice Springs & Uluru	21.5	36.5	29	70.7	97.9	84.2

Average sunshine hours

Thanks to its location in the desert, the Red Centre enjoys 9 - 10 sunshine hours per day nearly year-round. The average sunshine hours in the Top End in January are around 6 hours due to being in the midst of the Wet Season.

Average rainfall Northern Territory in January

City / Region	Rainfall (mm)	Rain (inch)	Relative humidity	Rainy days
Darwin	431	16.9	84%	21.3
Kakadu NP	357	14	81%	18.6
Katherine	266	10	75%	10
Tennant Creek	88	3.5	43%	5.2
Alice Springs & Uluru	41	1.6	28	3.5

Best things to do in Northern Territory in January

When visiting the Northern Territory in January, you might want to plan some indoor activities for those super rainy days. If the weather is too hot or too wet to explore the outdoors, you still have plenty of indoor options.

Museum and Art Gallery Darwin

Experience a day of art and culture at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT).

MAGNT is home to internationally renowned artistic, cultural and scientific collections and research programs. Learn about aboriginal culture, the devastating cyclone Tracy and visit the museum’s most famous resident, Sweetheart the saltwater crocodile.

Local markets for handmade treasures

Spend the day hunting down handmade treasures for yourself and your loved ones at home. Dozens of art galleries and cultural centres are scattered all over the NT. At one of the many markets, you can talk to the makers and learn more about their art pieces. If you’re up for something a bit different, how about a whip from Mick’s Whips or a weaved basket from the Tjanpi Weavers?

See the desert come to life

See the Red Centre as you’ve never seen it before. After heavy rainfall, the desert springs to life. Not only can you witness waterfalls running down Uluru. Animals that usually hibernate, emerge from their hiding places to feed and mate. Desert flowers start growing, painting a tender green, yellow and purple over the red.

Recommended Itineraries for the Northern Territory in January

FLT’s road trip itineraries are a great starting point for planning your Northern Territory self drive holiday. You can explore at your own speed or creating an epic trip with the help of our travel specialists who will share their best advice and handcraft a personalised itinerary just for you.

Northern Territory Weather in January