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Weather in Canada in January – is it worth traveling to?

Is the weather good for travel in January? Find out what the weather is like in Canada to plan your trip accordingly.
Check flight prices to Canada on Avionero:
January

Is the weather good in Canada in January 2025?

OK Weather
Mild
☁️
Cloudy

For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Canada during January have been around +28°F.

The weather differs across the Canada in January. You may encounter maximum temperatures of +28°F at noon in Vancouver and +21°F in Edmonton. So plan your activities, and packing, based on the individual locations rather than the country as a whole.

Temperature, wind and humidity in January

Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
☀️
+28°F
Avg. max. temperature
-44°F
Min.
+57°F
Max.
52 mm
Total precipitation
73%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
4 ☀️
Sunny Days
21 ⛅️
Cloudy
3 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Canada has OK weather in January.
Canada in January – what city is the…
  • rainiest? Vancouver, with an average of 8 mm of rain and humidity of 85%;
  • warmest? Vancouver, with daytime temperatures averaging +43°F;
  • windiest? Toronto, with an average of 5 m/s;
  • coolest? Edmonton, with daytime temperatures averaging +21°F;

How good is the weather in Canada in January?

During January, the Canada is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1014 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in January ranges between 62% in Calgary and 85% in Vancouver.

How warm is it in Canada during January?

Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +28°F 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 Canada. 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
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
  • Average maximum temperature for the month: +28°F;
  • Average minimum temperature for the month: +16°F;
  • Highest monthly temperature: +30°F;
  • Lowest monthly temperature: +14°F;

Monthly temperatures:

Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
  • Warmest: July with an average +77°F during the day;
  • Coldest: January with an average +28°F of the day;
  • Hottest month in hottest city: August in Vancouver;
  • Coldest month in coolest city: January in Edmonton;

Winds in Canada during January

Wind speed in Canada in January based on historical data:
Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto

January tends to offer light winds averaging 4 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.

Comparison between cities in January:

  • Highest average wind speed: Toronto with 4 m/s;
  • Lowest average wind speed: Edmonton with 2 m/s;
  • Windiest day of the month: Toronto with 6 m/s;
  • The least windy day of the month: Edmonton with 2 m/s;

Humidity and precipitation in Canada in January

Amount of rainfall in mm during January in Canada based on historical data:
Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
January tends to be a humid month with 69% humidity and 71 mm rainfall

Comparison between cities in January:

Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
  • Highest average rainfall: Vancouver with 246 mm;
  • Lowest average rainfall: Calgary with 1 mm;
  • Most number of rainy days: Vancouver with 14 rainy days;
  • Least number of rainy days: Calgary with 0 rainy days;
  • Highest risk of rain during the day: Vancouver with 45%;
  • Least risk of rain during the day: Calgary with 0%;
  • Highest average humidity: Vancouver with 85%;
  • Lowest average humidity: Calgary with 62%;

Snow

Amount of snow in mm. during January in Canada based on historical data:
Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
Total snow in January is about 13 mm, with a 5% chance of snow on a typical day.

Comparison between cities in January:

Average
Calgary
Edmonton
Montreal
Ottawa
Vancouver
Toronto
  • Highest average snowfall: Montreal with 49 mm;
  • Lowest average snowfall: Calgary with 11 mm;
  • Most number of snowy days: Montreal with 6 snowy days;
  • Least number of snowy days: Calgary with 1 snowy days;
  • Highest chance of snow during the day: Montreal with 19%;
  • Least chance of snow during the day: Calgary with 3%;

Tips for traveling to Canada in January

Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Canada? 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 Canada 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.

Cloudy, mild weather with light winds and high humidity in January
Avionero

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.
  • 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 Canada in January:

What can you do outside when it's warm in Canada?

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 Canada?

It’s always a good time to visit Canada, but the weather is changeable in January, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.

Monthly weather in Canada

Source of the data

For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Canada, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2022.

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.