Monthly climate guide

Berlin in January

January in Berlin is mid-winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month leans cold in practice, with only small changes from morning to evening. Daylight is shorter, so timing matters more than in longer-day months. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

January in context

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

Hottest (avg)
COOLER
#12 / 12

On the cooler side.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#5 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
SHORTER
#11 / 12

Shorter days.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#1 / 12

The breeziest month of the year.

Highest UV
UV
#11 / 12

UV is gentler than usual.

Most Humid
HUMID
#3 / 12

Humidity sits on the higher side.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for January.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

8.3 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
2
Typical sun hours
08:06 - 16:23

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
15 days
Cloud cover (avg)
78%
Snowfall

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

85%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through January in Berlin. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for JanuaryMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.-100102011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for January. Temperature 2.9°C.

Historical disruption baseline

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 99% of days (30.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

30.8 days / month

Share of days
~99% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~1°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~31 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 61% of days (18.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.9 days / month

Share of days
~61% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters

Freezing nights are possible on ~19 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 41% of days (12.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.7 days / month

Share of days
~41% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~13 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Snow High impact

Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 25% of days (7.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

7.8 days / month

Share of days
~25% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~3.1mm (P95)
Why this matters

Snowfall is possible on ~8 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.5 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~90km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~13mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Show all disruptions (21 more)
Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.6 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~82km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.5 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~104km/h (P95)
Why this matters

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

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.4 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~13mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 16% of days (4.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.9 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98% (P95)
Why this matters

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

Rain Moderate

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.3 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~13mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cold Moderate

Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 7% of days (2.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.3 days / month

Share of days
~7% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Why this matters

Wind chill risk is possible on ~2 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Cold Moderate

Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 1.5 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.5 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~9°C (P95)
Why this matters

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 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.7 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~23mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~1 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 99% of days (30.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

30.7 days / month

Share of days
~99% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~8.9h (P95)
Why this matters

Short daylight windows are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Minor

Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 95% of days (29.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

29.3 days / month

Share of days
~95% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~9°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~29 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cold Minor

Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 93% of days (28.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

28.8 days / month

Share of days
~93% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~4°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold nights are possible on ~29 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 83% of days (25.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

25.6 days / month

Share of days
~83% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~26 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 76% of days (23.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

23.7 days / month

Share of days
~76% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~96% (P95)
Why this matters

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

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 61% of days (18.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.9 days / month

Share of days
~61% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~19 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 58% of days (18.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

18.1 days / month

Share of days
~58% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~9.3mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~18 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 (14.8 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

14.8 days / month

Share of days
~48% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~18h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~15 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 38% of days (11.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.9 days / month

Share of days
~38% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~79km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~12 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 34% of days (10.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

10.4 days / month

Share of days
~34% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~19h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 30% of days (9.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.4 days / month

Share of days
~30% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~9 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 16% of days (4.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

4.9 days / month

Share of days
~16% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98 (P95)
Why this matters

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~5 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 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~31km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~3 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is January a good time to visit Berlin?

Typical January days in Berlin reach highs of 3°C (37°F) with nights around -2°C (28°F). It usually feels chilly by day and very cold after dark. Overall, January sits in the middle of the Berlin climate range.

What are temperatures like in January?

In January, you can usually expect highs of 3°C (37°F) and lows near -2°C (28°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 51 mm (2.0 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 8 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 08:06 and sunset near 16:23. Daylight is quite limited, and it can feel like a short-day season.

How strong is the sun in January?

UV levels are usually low (around 2), so standard sun protection is enough.

Is it windy in January?

In January, average wind speeds are around 15 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 62 km/h (39 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.

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