Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for January
| Metric | Chisinau | Kyiv | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 2°C (36°F)▲ | -2°C (28°F) | Chisinau |
| Average LowHigher is milder | -5°C (23°F)▲ | -6°C (21°F) | Chisinau |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 7 days▲ | 9 days | Chisinau |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 34 mm | 34 mm | Tie |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 4h/day▲ | 3h/day | Chisinau |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 65% | 65% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 15 km/h▲ | 19 km/h | Chisinau |
Based on sunshine hours, rain days, comfortable temperatures, and humidity levels, Chisinau edges ahead as the better destination in January. Chisinau offers 4 hours of daily sunshine with only 7 rain days, while Kyiv sees 3 sunshine hours and 9 rain days.
Chisinau is on the cooler side at 2°C, requiring warmer clothing. Kyiv is cooler at -2°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Chisinau is the stronger choice in January. Chisinau receives 1 more hour of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Chisinau reaches an average high of 2°C (36°F) and drops to -5°C (23°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 7°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.
Kyiv averages -2°C (28°F) for the high and -6°C (21°F) for the low, with a daily range of 4°C. The 4°C difference is noticeable but not dramatic.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.
Chisinau receives approximately 34 mm of rainfall across 7 rain days during January. Rain is occasional, so a light rain jacket should suffice.
Kyiv sees 34 mm over 9 rain days. That makes Chisinau the drier option by 2 rain days and 0 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.
Highs of 2°C, lows of -5°C, 7 rain days
Highs of -2°C, lows of -6°C, 9 rain days
Pack for both: heavy winter coat, thermal base layers, warm gloves and hat, insulated boots, a packable rain jacket, an umbrella, a warm scarf. These items are useful in either destination during January.
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. January is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Chisinau | Kyiv | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 2°C | 7d | -2°C | 9d |
| Feb | 4°C | 6d | 0°C | 8d |
| Mar | 9°C | 8d | 5°C | 9d |
| Apr | 16°C | 9d | 14°C | 9d |
| May | 22°C | 11d | 20°C | 11d |
| Jun | 26°C | 10d | 23°C | 11d |
| Jul | 28°C | 9d | 25°C | 12d |
| Aug | 28°C | 7d | 24°C | 8d |
| Sep | 22°C | 7d | 19°C | 9d |
| Oct | 15°C | 6d | 12°C | 8d |
| Nov | 8°C | 6d | 5°C | 8d |
| Dec | 3°C | 7d | 0°C | 9d |
Chisinau Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
Kyiv Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities