Weather in Paris in January: What to Expect

Planning a trip to Paris during January and wondering, "What's the weather in Paris, France like in January?"

First, the bad news.  On average, January ranks as the coldest month of the year in Paris (although only by a fraction - February almost ties for that "honor").

Now for the good news, especially if you live in the northern U.S., Canada, or Northern Europe, where typical January temperatures drop much lower:  Paris winter weather in January may be noticeably warmer than what you're used to, with average daytime temperatures well above freezing. 

In fact, you may consider Paris in January to be chilly, not cold.

But there's more on the "good news" front:  averages are just, well, averages.  In reality, you'll experience January days where the temperature rises well above average.  A few days may feel almost balmy. 

On the other hand, other days will be colder than average, some will be windy, and you may even encounter a little snow.  But again, there's good news:  the snow looks lovely, but melts quickly so it won't impede your walks around the city.

Find out about best places to stay in Paris in the winter

You'll find all the information you need about January weather in Paris, the wide range of temperatures you may experience, plus other weather events such as rain, wind, and snow. 

We also include packing tips for January's unpredictable weather.

Article contents:

• Paris weather temperature ranges for January - Plus What to Really Expect
• How much rain and snow to expect in Paris during January
• What to pack for your January visit to Paris
• Should you visit Paris during January?  Or wait for a warmer month?
• Weather-proof activities for January in Paris
• Where to stay in Paris during January

Top photo: View of La Conciergerie and the Seine River on a late afternoon in January, (c) Paris Discovery Guide

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What Is Paris Weather in January Really Like?

Paris weather is also famously unpredictable - not just during January, but throughout the year. 

Don't be surprised if the weather forecast changes frequently throughout the day, and you have to dodge an unexpected shower by ducking into a cafe for a cup of hot chocolate.

Paris Temperature in January:  Average Highs & Lows

Here's a quick summary of what January weather in Paris looks like on Fahrenheit (F) and Celsius (C) degree scales for average daily high and low temperatures during the month over the past decade:

• Average October high temperatures (typically during daytime): 40°F to 50° F (5°C to 10°C)
• Average October low temperatures (typically at night): 35°F to 42° F (2°C to 5°C)

Remember, these are just averages - primary useful for comparing one month for another or one country to another, prehaps when you're deciding when and where to travel.

To better understand what actual temperatures you might encounter during your January visit, always check the January high and low temperature ranges in the next section.

Weather Statistics for January in Paris:  High & Low Temperature Ranges

The average temperatures for January shown above give you only part of the Paris weather story - and not the most important part if you're planning to visit and want to know what to pack and even what activities you should plan based on the weather conditions you'll encounter.

That's why looking at the range of high and low temperatures during the past 10 years gives you a much better understanding of what January weather in Paris may actually be like.

Here's what you'll find:

• Range of monthly high temperatures during January:  28°F to 59°F (-2°C to 15°C)
• Range of monthly low temperatures during January:  18°F to 53° F (-8°C to 11°C)

If you're thinking that's a big temperature variation from day to day throughout January in Paris, you are right. 

Here are the record-breaking temperatures for the past three decades, and when they occurred:

• Highest monthly January temperature (1991-present):   62°F (17°C) in 2003
• Lowest monthly January temperature (1991-present):   8°F (-13°C) in 2010

As you can see, Paris weather is unpredictable from one year to the next as well as on a daily basis so you need to be prepared for a range of possibilities.

That's why planning your packing list to include layers to put on and take off is a good idea.  More about what to pack in a moment!

Sun and Clouds during January:  What to Expect

January tends to be a cloudy month in Paris, and daylight hours are short. 

Here's what that means:

• Average hours of daylight:  8 hours, 50 minutes

Ironically, the sky is often clear at night and for a short period after daybreak, and then clouds may dominate for most or all of the daylight hours.

During a typical year, you'll experience overcast conditions or partly cloudy skies almost 75% of the time during daylight hours - which means, on average, only two hours of sun on a daily basis.

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How Much Rain, Wind, & Snow Does Paris Get in January?

On average based on the past decade, Paris records about 2 inches (about 51 cm) of precipitation over the course of 12 - 24 days during January.

There are, of course, exceptions. 

January of 2018 proved to be unusually wet, with weeks of what felt like unrelenting rain that actually started during the previous month.  (In case you're wondering: yes, 2018 was the year when rain fell for 24 days.)

As the weeks the level of water in the Seine continued to rise, finally peaking at just under 20 feet (6 m) as January ended.  The Louvre Museum had to close the galleries on its lower level,  the RER C train shut down for a week, and Seine River cruises came to a halt until water levels finally subsided. 

Unusual?  A January flood of this magnitude has happened in Paris only three times in the last 100 years.  But, rain during January is always a reality, and the 2018 flood is a reminder to always have a "Plan B" for your Paris activities in case the weather decides to surprise you.

Interestingly, January 2018 also had slightly higher overall temperatures that usual, so the weather felt wet and chilly rather than wet and cold.

On the low-temperature January days which you can always expect to occur at some point during the month, the rain can feel icy, although actual ice is rare. 

During cold nights when the thermometer drops below freezing, Paris sometimes experiences what is called "ice fog" - frozen droplets of moisture suspended in the air.  If you're outside walking around when this happens, you'll definitely notice it.

Sustained strong winds can also hit the city during January.  Occasionally, there may be storms with gale winds and downpours of rain.  Those are the days when you'll want to visit museums, sip hot chocolate in Angelina's (226 Rue de Rivoli) or other tea rooms, or stay warm and cosy on a Seine River Dinner Cruise.

Snow is rare, but beautiful when it happens.  You'll usually see only a small amount on the ground because Paris snowfall typically measures less than an inch (2.5 cm), and it melts quickly - so enjoy the lovely views before the snow disappears.

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What to Pack for January Weather in Paris

Unless you'll be in Paris for only a day or two and can check the weather forecast right before you leave, packing for the range of possible January temperatures is smart idea.  Paris weather can change rapidly and forecasts for more than a day or two ahead are notoriously unreliable.

In addition to your core wardrobe of tops, bottoms, comfortable walking shoes, and of course, underwear, here are the essentials plus a few options to consider:

• A well-insulated winter coat or jacket, ideally water-resistant.  Bonus points if it has a hood - useful for when you get caught in sudden showers and even downpours without an umbrella.  No hood?  Consider bringing a rain hat.
• One or two sweaters to wear alone or layered if temperatures soar to almost 60°, and under your coat for extra warmth on the coldest days and evenings.  Cashmere is the best natural fiber for keeping you toasty outside but not making you sweat when you go inside a heated store or museum.
• Lightweight thermal underwear can add an extra layer of insulation without being bulky, plus it takes up almost no room in your luggage
• A pair of comfortable ankle boots and your favorite walking shoes, ideally with thick skid-proof soles because wet cobblestones can be cold and slippery.  You'll also be thankful for warm socks.
• A warm scarf (longer is better than shorter because you can double-wrap it around your neck and even your head), gloves, a warm hat, and even fleece-lined leggings, especially if you plan to do lots of walking.  
• You are almost sure to need an umbrella.  Because of the potential for wind, choose a strong, heavier one.

In case you're about to start packing for your trip, here is the 7-day Paris weather forecast in Fahrenheit and Celsius:

PARIS WEATHER
PARIS WEATHER

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Is Visiting Paris in January Worth It Despite the Potentially Cold Weather?

Absolutely!  If you're lucky, you may experience one or more of the warmer days that January sometimes offers. 

But even if you don't, just dress warmly.  Paris is always a good idea.  But there are special benefits to visiting Paris in January:

• Cheap flights (we've had great success with GoLastMinute) and low-season hotel rates - see our recommendations about where to stay in Paris in the winter 
• Much smaller crowds at popular attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum
• The famous January sales, with mark-downs up to 70-80% off
• Fantastic exhibitions at many, if not most, Paris museums
• The pleasure of savoring popular winter French foods such as raclette, pot au feu, and onion soup

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Weather-Proof Things to Do in Paris in January

Recommended activities for seeing Paris while staying warm despite January weather:

• Hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour bus - Stay warm and dry while you ride on the covered upper deck or enclosed lower deck
• Seine River dinner cruise - Savor a gourmet meal in a cozy glass-enclosed boat while seeing famous sights along the river
• Moulin Rouge - Enjoy an evening of entertainment and champagne in this famous Paris cabaret - or choose the gourmet dinner option
• Mont Saint Michel day trip - Explore the famous abbey, sample raclette in the village, and stay cosy on the comfortable round-trip transportation from Paris
• Paris Museums - You won't care what the weather outside is like when you use a Paris Museum Pass for free admission to the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, and almost 60 other famous Paris museums and attractions

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More Fun Things to Do & See in Paris in January

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Where to Stay in Paris during January

As you know by now, January weather in Paris can be cold so a smart strategy is to stay in central Paris neighborhoods close to top attractions, lots of restaurants, and convenient metro stations.  

With these criteria in mind, we recommend staying in these top locations during January:

• 1st Arrondissement/Louvre & Ile de la Cite neighborhoods - Stay in the historical Paris 1 district next to the Seine, and you'll be just a short walk (depending on which hotel or apartment you choose) from the Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden, Musée de l'Orangerie, Sainte Chapelle, and Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera House)
• Saint Germain neighborhood - Choose the popular Saint Germain neighborhood on the Left Bank of the Seine River, and you'll be close to famous bistros such as Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore, fabulous shopping (Winter Sales!), the Orsay Museum, and evening concerts at the medieval Saint-Germain-des-Prés church
• Champs Elysees neighborhood - If shopping the Winter Sales at the "Golden Triangle" designer showrooms and boutiques will be your main focus, this is where you'll want to stay - plus the Eiffel Tower is directly across the river

Find more of our recommendations for where to stay in Paris in the winter

Use this hotel booking map to find more hotels and apartments for your travel dates: 

Booking.com

Check out the newest Paris hotels

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Current Paris Weather Prediction Resource

Want current Paris weather predictions?  This is our favorite French source:  Meteoblue

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