Ulaanbaatar Weather in January

Ulaanbaatar experiences a severely cold and dry weather in January with the lowest temperature and least precipitation of the year. There is a small amount of daylight hours, but the sunshine remains bright and ample for visitors to go sightseeing. Though it snows occasionally in January, you can still see Ulaanbaatar is covered with snow almost everywhere.

Lowest Temperature of the Year

January is regarded as the coldest month in Ulaanbaatar as the high temperature mostly ranges from -19 to -11 degrees Celsius (-2 - 12 degrees Fahrenheit), not to mention the low value which lies between -30 and -21℃ (-22 - -6℉). Occasionally, the nighttime temperature even plummets to -40℃ (-40℉) while the high temperature to around -31℃ (-24℉).

Ulaanbaatar climate in January is so freezing that breathing and speaking outside are always accompanied by puffs of white vapor. Your phone’s battery level might drop significantly after taking only several pictures. When wind blows, though in form of breeze, the perceived temperature drops largely and you may feel headache if without wearing thick hats.

Rare Snowfall but Snow-covered

January has the least precipitation of the year, averagely 3mm (0.12 in) distributed over 3 days. It is presented as snow. Though seldom and light, there still exists thick snow cover on grasslands, mountains, and uncleaned countryside roads since the low temperature keeps the snow in last several months not melting and being accumulated. So, you can see a white-landscaped Ulaanbaatar. When going outdoors, mind the slippery streets covered with thin snow cover or ice, which have not been cleaned timely.

Short Daytime but Sunny

With the sunrise at 8:28 - 8:47 and sunset at 17:28 - 18:07, daytime in January in Ulaanbaatar is relatively short with an average daylength of 9 hours. In this condition, most attractions close early before sunset, for example Gandan Monastery closes at 17:00 in January, which gives visitors less available time for sightseeing.

However, Ulaanbaatar weather in January is sunny in most time. It boasts plenty of sunshine with 6 sunlight hours per day on average. The sun casts bright sunlight on the snow-covered ground, making it sparkle. Though the UV index is low at 1, protective glasses remain necessary since watching vast snow for a long time does harm to your eyes.

Averages for Ulaanbaatar Weather in January

High Temperature

-16°C (3°F)

Low Temperature

-29°C (-20°F)

Rainfall

0.2 mm

Sunrise

08:28 ~ 08:47

Sunset

17:28 ~ 18:07

Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.May.Jun.Jul.Aug.Sep.Oct.Nov.Dec.

The times for sunrise and sunset are based on Ulaanbaatar.

Is January a Good time to Visit Ulaanbaatar?

Absolutely not! The extreme coldness makes it quite challenging to visit Ulaanbaatar in January. Such low temperature allows visitors to stay outside only for dozens of minutes at most and outdoor activities are largely limited. Moreover, most roads get frozen and slippery since there remains snow. Under this condition, the already serious traffic jam is further aggravated and visitors have to spend more time on transportation. More importantly, the travel experience is unsatisfactory. Natural scenery in January is monotonous with only snow-covered views and most yurts for tourists in grasslands have been closed because of the cold climate of Ulaanbaatar.

However, if you insist to visit Ulaanbaatar in January 2026, the following tips might be helpful.

Tips for Dressing in January in Ulaanbaatar

It is no exaggeration that you are suggested to wear the thickest and warmest clothes you have.

Upper body: Soft bottoming shirts or thermal underwear made of cotton are good choices for inner layer to absorb possible sweat and keep your skin dry. Then, you can wear heavy sweaters, padded hoodies, or even thin down coats for the second layer which serves to preserve heat. Down coats as the outer layer had better be long enough to cover your knees and attached with a hood to prevent heat loss from you head.

Lower body: Long johns is necessary though you might be not used to wear them since they work really well to keep your legs warm. The trousers must be wind-proof and you can choose from thick hiking pants, fleece-lined jeans and down pants. You may also need kneepads to make specific protection on your knees which are sensitive to coldness.

Shoes: Snow boots or fleece-lined walking boots with thick socks are good matches. It would be better if they are anti-slippery so you won’t fall easily on the streets with remaining snow; they should also be high-top so when walking on places with thick accumulated snow, the snow won’t get in.

Others: Scarves, hats and gloves are undoubtedly necessary in January to prevent cold air. It is suggested to prepare protective glasses, masks, and portable power banks. You also need to prepare warm pastes and stick them on our back, waist and whatever parts susceptible to coldness.

Travel Recommendations and Tips for Ulaanbaatar in January

1. If you visit Ulaanbaatar in January, historical and cultural sites are the primary and most recommended attractions, including Mongolian National Museum, Winter Palace of the Bogd Khan, Gandan Monastery, Choijin Lama Temple, Genghis Khan Museum and etc... You suffer from less coldness when staying indoors.
2. If you plan to visit the grassland and grazing districts near Ulaanbaatar in January, for the sake of safety, be sure to hire the experienced guide and diver for winter trip since they have professional facilities and know better about the complicated road conditions. You should know the winter trip may cost more in this case.
3. In January when the heating system works efficiently, the indoor temperature maintains around 22℃ (72℉). Visitors should mind the large difference between outdoor and indoor temperature and remember to adjust the clothing accordingly. Otherwise, you might get a cold because of the temperature difference.
4. When conducting outdoor activities, you are suggested to stick a warm paste on the back of your phones since it can prevent power-off caused by low temperature and help your phones stay in service for a longer time.
5. There is serious air pollution in January in Ulaanbaatar since the heating system in most grazing districts is powered by burning coals and cow dungs. Therefore, you had better wear masks when going out to prevent the uncomfortable smell.

7-Day Ulaanbaatar Weather Forecast