What's the Weather Like in Kerala in January?
Located on the south west coast of India, Kerala is only a short distance away from the equator and therefore enjoys a tropical climate. Temperatures remain very similar throughout the year, ranging between the high 20s and low 30s. The monsoon season falls between May and October, when the resort experiences very warm weather with bouts of torrential rain.
Rainfall
January falls in the winter season, which is the driest time of the year. In fact, January is the driest month of the entire year with a total amount of rainfall no higher than 21mm. Throughout the month there are only 3 days with rainfall. Only February comes close in terms of lack of precipitation. January 5 is historically the driest day of the year, with a chance of rainfall of merely 2%. By the end of the month, that chance rises to 6%, still very low.
There are three main types of precipitation in Kerala in January. Thunderstorms are by far the most common type, occurring on 66% of the days with rainfall. Drizzle and moderate rain happen as well, respectively on 19% and 15% of the rainy days.
Temperature
Temperatures don't change much throughout the year and January's temperatures are about the annual average. The average daily temperature is 28°C, the same as in February. At the hottest point of the day, the temperature can rise up to 32°C. Temperatures this high can be dangerous if you're unprepared, so make sure that you drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration. Evenings cool down to a pleasant 23°C after sunset. Both the high and low temperatures rise a tiny bit in the course of the month.
Sea Temperature
The sea temperature is also pretty much constant all-year round and in January it averages a bath-like 28°C.
Daylight Hours
Because of Kerala's location near the equator, there is very little variation in the length of the days throughout the year. In January, the day length remains virtually constant, ranging between 11.32 hours of daylight in the beginning of the month and 11.41 daylight hours toward the end.
Clouds
This is driest season and also the clearest. Cloud cover in January doesn't exceed 31%, making it the second clearest month of the year, after February. December comes in third. A typical day in January is clear or mostly clear 40% of the time and overcast only 7% of the time.
Sunshine Hours
The clearness of the skies makes January one of the sunniest months. There are 9 hours of sunshine per day on average, which is as sunny as ever gets in Kerala.
If you're looking for a weather forecast for Kerala, you are advised to visit this page.
Hotels for Kerala in January
Beaches for January for Kerala
Alappuzha Beach
The district of Alappuzha is well-known for its water-related activities. It is famous in and around Kerala for its marine products, backwaters, boat races and, of course, beaches. Alappuzha Beach is a very popular place to picnic among locals and tourists alike. Things to do include simply sunbathing, going on houseboat cruises and visiting the 137-year-old pier or lighthouse.
Restaurants and Bars for Kerala in January
Kottavathil Restaurant
Kottavathil Restaurant is a top-rated restaurant in Kerala; a place with a fifteen-year history of perfect customer service and delicious cuisine. Its menu changes every six to eight weeks, depending on the ingredients that are available. They use seasonal ingredients of high quality, many of which are organic and grown locally. Kottavathil Restaurant is a part of a complex that also offers luxury accommodations.
Things to Do in Kerala in January
Adoor Gajamela Elephant Pageant
The Adoor Gajamela Elephant Pageant is one of the best events that take place in Kerala in January. Held in the Pathanamthitta district, this pageant is an amazing opportunity to learn more about the Indian culture whilst enjoying the views of giant elephants wearing colourful jewellery and other beautiful attire. This hugely popular event is attended by hundreds of people.
Tea Gardens in Munnar
A trip to Kerala isn't complete without a visit to the Tea Gardens in Munnar. These gardens stretch on for miles and look just like a green carpet. After joining a tour and walking around the gardens, you can enjoy a refreshing cup of green tea that has been produced in the fields. This picturesque place in the hills used to be a favorite retreat among the British and still reminds visitors of this colonial past. This is also a wonderful place to stay for a couple of days, accommodation is available in cozy luxurious rooms.
