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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Puerto Vallarta in January

Puerto Vallarta in January: 4% of days see measurable rain, 79°F average high, 86% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Historically one of the better months to visit Puerto Vallarta for sun: 86% of days are clear on average (n=248, avg high 79°F). Every percentage here is a historical average from 8 years of ERA5 data — not a forecast.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis, not a forecast. A month that is historically 90% clear can still be overcast on your specific trip. For this week’s actual forecast, see the live Puerto Vallarta page. Both can be true at once: “historically strong in this month; this particular week is not.” We label which is which.

Early vs. Late January

Clear-sky percentage for Puerto Vallarta in January, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early January
1st–15th		 86% n=120 79°F
Late January
16th–end		 86% n=128 79°F
Full month average 86% n=248 79°F

Sunshine & warmth in January

A second measure using actual sunshine hours (ERA5 sunshine_duration), not the daily weather code. A Lowcountry day with 12 hours of sun and a 25-minute afternoon storm is counted below as a warm, sunny day — because it was. How we define this.

Sunshine-based metrics for Puerto Vallarta in January. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early January
1st–15th		 92% n=120
Late January
16th–end		 92% n=128
Full month average 92% n=248
10.4 h median sunshine per day 90% of days exceed 8 h sunshine 4% of days see ≥ 1 mm rain — rain is not hidden
Comparison (old vs new): WMO-code “clear” bar: 86%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 92%.

Bottom line

Puerto Vallarta is historically one of the best destinations for sun in January: 86% of days meet the clear bar (avg high 79°F, n=248 days across 8 years). Pack for outdoor activity — this month consistently delivers.

Every month in Puerto Vallarta

Compare across all months with data. Numbers are historical clear-sky %.

Historical clear-sky % for Puerto Vallarta, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January ← this page 86% n=248 All destinations →
February 87% n=226 All destinations →
March 99% n=248 All destinations →
April 99% n=240 All destinations →
May 93% n=248 All destinations →
June 38% n=240 All destinations →
July 10% n=248 All destinations →
August 1% n=248 All destinations →
September 4% n=240 All destinations →
October 22% n=248 All destinations →
November 77% n=240 All destinations →
December 85% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Does it rain in Puerto Vallarta in January?

Rarely. Only 4% of days in Puerto Vallarta see measurable rain in January, based on 8 years of ERA5 historical data (n=248 days, 2018–2025). This is a historical average, not a forecast.

Is Puerto Vallarta good for sun in January?

Yes. Puerto Vallarta is historically strong for sun in January: 86% of days are clear on average (avg high 79°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025).

How Puerto Vallarta compares in January

Head-to-head clear-sky comparisons against destinations travelers plausibly weigh against Puerto Vallarta this month — same passport tier, similar flight distance, both sides from the same 8-year ERA5 record.

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.