Avg High
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
9h

What to expect

In Lyon, January sits in mid-winter, with a clear seasonal rhythm running through the month. Most days feel cold but manageable, with evenings that ease back comfortably. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well. With less daylight, it helps to start earlier and pace your day.

January in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Lyon.

Hottest (avg)
#12 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#10 / 12
Daylight Hours
#11 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#5 / 12
Highest UV
#11 / 12
Most Humid
#3 / 12

Monthly climate breakdown

Temperature

Daytime high
Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Sunshine

Daylight hours
9.1 h
UV index (max)
3
Typical sun hours
08:15 - 17:23

Rain & Snow

Total rain
Rainy days
15 days
Cloud cover (avg)
72%
Snowfall

Humidity & Wind

Humidity (avg)
84%
Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Daily climate explorer

Daily climate explorer for January in LyonInteractive chart with daily scrub and pinned insight panel.-100102011631°C

Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 7.4°C and low -0.1°C.

Typical disruptions in January

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.

Cold High impact

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 97% of days (30.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

30.1 days / month

~97% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 30.1 days / month
  • Probability ~97% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~3°C (P95)

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~30 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cold High impact

Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 45% of days (14.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

14.0 days / month

~45% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 14.0 days / month
  • Probability ~45% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)

Freezing nights are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold High impact

Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 25% of days (7.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

7.9 days / month

~25% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 7.9 days / month
  • Probability ~25% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)

Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~8 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 17% of days (5.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

5.3 days / month

~17% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 5.3 days / month
  • Probability ~17% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~19mm (P95)

Rain disruption risk appears on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 17% of days (5.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

5.2 days / month

~17% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 5.2 days / month
  • Probability ~17% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~19mm (P95)

Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.5 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.5 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~83km/h (P95)

Strong gusts are possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Show all disruptions (22 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.3 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

1.3 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 1.3 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~16mm (P95)

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

1.0 days / month

~3% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 1.0 days / month
  • Probability ~3% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~81km/h (P95)

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Wind High impact

Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.3 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.3 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~97km/h (P95)

Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Snow Moderate

Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 15% of days (4.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

4.7 days / month

~15% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 4.7 days / month
  • Probability ~15% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~5.0mm (P95)

Snowfall is possible on ~5 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

3.2 days / month

~10% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 3.2 days / month
  • Probability ~10% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~97% (P95)

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Moderate

Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 1.9 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

1.9 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 1.9 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)

Cold snap runs are possible on ~2 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Rain Moderate

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 6% of days (1.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

1.7 days / month

~6% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 1.7 days / month
  • Probability ~6% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~28mm (P95)

Heavy rain is possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 86% of days (26.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

26.6 days / month

~86% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 26.6 days / month
  • Probability ~86% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~4°C (P95)

Cold nights are possible on ~27 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cold Minor

Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 76% of days (23.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

23.7 days / month

~76% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 23.7 days / month
  • Probability ~76% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)

Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~24 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 76% of days (23.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

23.6 days / month

~76% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 23.6 days / month
  • Probability ~76% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~95% (P95)

High humidity is possible on ~24 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 74% of days (22.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

22.8 days / month

~74% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 22.8 days / month
  • Probability ~74% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Cloudy skies are possible on ~23 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 56% of days (17.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

17.3 days / month

~56% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 17.3 days / month
  • Probability ~56% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~13mm (P95)

Measurable rain is possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 51% of days (15.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

15.8 days / month

~51% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 15.8 days / month
  • Probability ~51% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~16 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 48% of days (14.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

14.9 days / month

~48% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 14.9 days / month
  • Probability ~48% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~21h (P95)

Several rainy hours are possible on ~15 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Daylight Minor

Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). Observed about 39% of days (12.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

12.0 days / month

~39% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 12.0 days / month
  • Probability ~39% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~9.0h (P95)

Short daylight windows are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 36% of days (11.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

11.1 days / month

~36% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 11.1 days / month
  • Probability ~36% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~11 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 35% of days (10.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

10.8 days / month

~35% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 10.8 days / month
  • Probability ~35% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)

Gusty conditions are possible on ~11 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 20% of days (6.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

6.1 days / month

~20% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 6.1 days / month
  • Probability ~20% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Overcast skies are possible on ~6 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

3.2 days / month

~10% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 3.2 days / month
  • Probability ~10% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~97 (P95)

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.5 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.5 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~35km/h (P95)

Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cold Minor

Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.3 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.3 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~-1°C (P95)

Wind chill risk is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Other Minor

Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) Measures: Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.2 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.2 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~24 (P95)

Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Lyon?

Typical January days in Lyon reach highs of 7°C (45°F) with nights around 1°C (34°F). It usually feels chilly by day and very cold after dark. It is one of the drier months, which suits outdoor exploring and sightseeing.

What are temperatures like in January?

In January, you can usually expect highs of 7°C (45°F) and lows near 1°C (34°F). That means chilly days and very cold nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in January?

Rainfall in January averages 71 mm (2.8 in) across roughly 15 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.

How many hours of daylight are there in January?

You can expect about 9 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 08:15 and sunset near 17:23. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.

How strong is the sun in January?

UV levels are usually low (around 3), so standard sun protection is enough.

Is it windy in January?

In January, average wind speeds are around 10 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 58 km/h (36 mph). On the ground, it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.

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