Mahajanga Weather in January
Season: Rainy Season Overview: 1. January has warm nighttime but hot daytime;
2. The 461 mm of monthly rainfall in about 20 days influences your travel.
Mahajanga Temperature in January
In January, the temperature of Mahajanga averages 24 - 32 degrees Celsius (75 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit), warm in the early morning and evening and hot in the day. According to the data of 2025, there are more than 20 days in January when the maximum temperature is above 30°C (86°F). When it rains heavily, the temperature may be a bit lower than usual, but also stays above 27°C (81°F). The minimum temperature does not vary much throughout the month. The average sea temperature is relatively high at around 29°C (84°F), quite warm for swimming and water sports.
Sea View on Rainy Days of Mahajanga
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A Total of 461mm Rainfall/ 20 Rainy Days in January
January is very wet and rainy in Mahajanga. On average, 461 mm of rain, the highest level around the year, falls in about 20 days. There will be some days with moderate and heavy rain, which may produce large impacts on your traveling. Therefore, make sure to check the weather forecast in advance to avoid these days. Humidity is relatively high at 83% in January, which makes the weather stuffy and humid.
Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours in Mahajanga in January
The daylight hours are quite long at nearly 13 on average, from about 05:33 to 18:32. On the contrary, average daily sunshine hours are only about 6 due to the high rainfall. The UV index in January is high at 10+, meaning that you need to take sun protection measures on sunny time.
See also: Madagascar Weather in January
Is January a Good Time to Visit Mahajanga?
In fact, January is a bad month to visit Mahajanga. Unfavorable conditions for traveling this month include:1. The rainfall is extremely high. It is nearly impossible to avoid rainy days when visiting Mahajanga this month, regardless of the length of your stay. Moreover, the rain may be relatively heavy.
2. Road conditions are basically worse because of the rainfall. As a result, your outdoor traveling will be influenced to a large extent.
3. The high temperature in January together with high humidity will make you feel uncomfortably hot.
4. There is a possibility that Mahajanga will suffer typhoons this month.
Crowds and Travel Costs
Because of the bad weather of Mahajanga, January is the slack tourist season. Therefore, if you travel to Mahajanga in January 2026, you will find that there are only a few tourists. Moreover, the prices of hotels and air tickets are much lower than usual.
Quiet Street in January
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Packing List for Mahajanga Trip in January
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Clothes: To keep you cool and comfortable in the hot and humid January, you are recommended to bring light summer clothes like shorts, thin long pants, T-shirts, and sleeveless T-shirts made of quick-drying material or cotton. In addition, with a lot of rain and muddy roads this month, quite long skirts and pants may not be very convenient. Shoes: It is recommended that you bring comfortable sandals or water shoes, as they will keep you cool and are easy to clean, which is important during the wet rainy season. Also, these shoes should preferably be non-slip so as to keep you safe when walking on slick roads after the rain. Of course, if you plan to walk a lot, you can also bring a pair of thin, non-slip, and waterproof sneakers.
Others:
1. It usually rains a lot this month, so always remember to carry an umbrella or raincoat.
2. During sunny moments, the UV rays are strong. Therefore, you will also need to carry sunscreen and sun hats when visiting Mahajanga this month.
3. Mosquitoes are more prevalent in Mahajanga during January with high temperature and humidity, and repellent is needed.
Mahajanga Travel Advice in January
Travel Recommendation Rate:
As mentioned above, January is a time that you are advised to avoid visiting Mahajanga. But if this is the only month throughout the year you are available or you insist to travel to Mahajanga this month, here are some suggestions.
Confirm the Weather Conditions in Advance
The climate of Mahajanga in January is changeable, so be sure to pay attention to the weather forecast. On the one hand, make sure there are no extreme weather such as typhoons when you are there. On the other hand, try to visit Mahajanga during periods with as many sunny days as possible.Allow Plenty of Time
In Mahajanga in January, flights may experience delays due to the weather, and land transportation may be influenced due to the worse road conditions. You’d better time your trip loosely and allow plenty of time, especially for your return trip.Make Indoors or Downtown Travel Plans
Considering the continuous rainy days and poor road conditions, it is unlikely that you will be able to visit places such as the national parks and Cirque Rouge when you go to Mahajanga this month. Instead, it is recommended that you go to indoor places that can be visited even on rainy days, such as the churches of Mahajanga; or places with roads that are less affected by the rain, such as the city center, where you will be able to see the world’s oldest and thickest baobab and Mozambique Channel closely.
View of the City Center of Mahajanga
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January Weather for Other Destinations in Madagascar
Mahajanga Weather by Month
