For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Germany during January have been around +4°C.
In Germany the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +4°C in Dusseldorf to +3°C in Berlin. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
☀️
+4°C
Avg. max. temperature
-29°C
Min.
+18°C
Max.
52 mm
Total precipitation
84%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
3 ☀️
Sunny Days
10 ⛅️
Cloudy
11 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Germany has OK weather in January.
Germany in January – what city is the…
rainiest? Dortmund, with an average of 2 mm of rain and humidity of 84%;
warmest? Dusseldorf, with daytime temperatures averaging +5°C;
windiest? Leipzig, with an average of 4 m/s;
coolest? Berlin, with daytime temperatures averaging +3°C;
Avionero - A better way to search for flights:
Cheapest prices on the market!
Check all your dates and date combinations in a single search!
Want inspiration, set your dates and find the cheapest destinations!
Saves your searches in the browser so you can easily return to them!
How good is the weather in Germany in January?
During January, the Germany is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1015 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in January ranges between 82% in Cologne and 88% in Hamburg.
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +4°C in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in January
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Germany. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for January:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
Average maximum temperature for the month: +4°C;
Average minimum temperature for the month: -1°C;
Highest monthly temperature: +4°C;
Lowest monthly temperature: -1°C;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
Warmest: July with an average +24°C during the day;
Coldest: January with an average +4°C of the day;
Hottest month in hottest city: July in Stuttgart;
Coldest month in coolest city: January in Bremen;
Winds in Germany during January
Wind speed in Germany in January based on historical data:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
January tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
Highest average wind speed: Leipzig with 3 m/s;
Lowest average wind speed: Munich with 1 m/s;
Windiest day of the month: Leipzig with 5 m/s;
The least windy day of the month: Munich with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Germany in January
Amount of rainfall in mm during January in Germany based on historical data:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
January tends to be an extremely humid month with 76% humidity and 63 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in January:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
Highest average rainfall: Dortmund with 75 mm;
Lowest average rainfall: Leipzig with 37 mm;
Most number of rainy days: Dusseldorf with 13 rainy days;
Least number of rainy days: Munich with 7 rainy days;
Highest risk of rain during the day: Dusseldorf with 42%;
Least risk of rain during the day: Munich with 23%;
Highest average humidity: Hamburg with 88%;
Lowest average humidity: Cologne with 82%;
Snow
Amount of snow in mm. during January in Germany based on historical data:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
Total snow in January is about 5 mm, with a 7% chance of snow on a typical day.
Comparison between cities in January:
Average
Berlin
Bremen
Cologne
Dortmund
Dresden
Dusseldorf
Frankfurt
Hamburg
Hannover
Baden-Baden
Leipzig
Munich
Nuremberg
Stuttgart
Highest average snowfall: Munich with 29 mm;
Lowest average snowfall: Cologne with 10 mm;
Most number of snowy days: Munich with 10 snowy days;
Least number of snowy days: Cologne with 5 snowy days;
Highest chance of snow during the day: Munich with 32%;
Least chance of snow during the day: Cologne with 16%;
Tips for traveling to Germany in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Germany? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Germany based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, mild weather with light winds and very high humidity in January
Pack right for January
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Germany in January:
What can you do outside when it's warm in Germany?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is January a good time to visit Germany?
It’s always a good time to visit Germany, but the weather is changeable in January, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Germany, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.