Canada

Canada Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Canada in January.

Thinking about venturing to Canada this January and curious about the weather conditions to expect? This page holds all the key information you seek, responding to your question:

What to Expect in Canada in January

Canada offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In January, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to heavy. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Alert at -27°C (-17°F) to cold in Ucluelet at 9°C (48°F). At night it cools down to 4°C (39°F) in Ucluelet and -33°C (-27°F) in Alert. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Canada, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Alert with an average of 12 mm (0.5 in) to heavy snowfall in Tofino with 443 mm (17 in).

Average sunshine

Many places experience limited sunshine during this period. Toronto receives around 85 hours of sunlight. If you prefer more sunny conditions, our weather planner can help you explore other destinations.

Explore Canada by month

Best Places to Visit in Canada in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Canada.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Canada

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Canada?

Temperature range in Canada (January)

Precipitation variation in Canada (January)

Toronto

In January Toronto generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C (19°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Monthly sun hours
78 hours
85 hours
111 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
83 mm (3.3 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
68 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
13 days
12 days
10 days
Weather conditions

Montréal

In January Montréal generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -14°C (7°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-8°C (18°F)
-14°C (7°F)
-13°C (9°F)
Monthly sun hours
80 hours
99 hours
128 hours
Monthly snowfall
92 mm (3.6 in)
80 mm (3.1 in)
72 mm (2.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
14 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Quebec City

In January Quebec City generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -6°C (21°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -16°C (3°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-6°C (21°F)
-4°C (25°F)
Min temperature
-11°C (12°F)
-16°C (3°F)
-15°C (5°F)
Monthly sun hours
83 hours
98 hours
120 hours
Monthly snowfall
112 mm (4.4 in)
94 mm (3.7 in)
84 mm (3.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
15 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Vancouver

In January Vancouver generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 7°C (45°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 2°C (36°F) and heavy monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
7°C (45°F)
7°C (45°F)
8°C (46°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Monthly sun hours
56 hours
60 hours
91 hours
Monthly rainfall
303 mm (12 in)
312 mm (12 in)
207 mm (8.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
21 days
19 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Ottawa

In January Ottawa generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-14°C (7°F)
Monthly sun hours
83 hours
98 hours
132 hours
Monthly snowfall
85 mm (3.3 in)
79 mm (3.1 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
14 days
12 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Canada.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Canada in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Toronto 1°C (34°F) -7°C (19°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Montréal -4°C (25°F) -14°C (7°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Vancouver 7°C (45°F) 2°C (36°F) 312 mm (12 in)
Whistler -2°C (28°F) -8°C (18°F) 311 mm (12 in)
Victoria 8°C (46°F) 5°C (41°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Jasper -9°C (16°F) -16°C (3°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)

Canada weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Canada in January?

In January, Canada generally has poor weather conditions. Toronto sees daytime temperatures near 1°C (34°F), with nights cooling to roughly -7°C (19°F).

What is the average temperature in Canada in January?

Average temperatures in Canada during January range from a nighttime low near -7°C (19°F) to a daytime high around 1°C (34°F) in Toronto.

Does Canada get a lot of snow/rain in January?

January is on the drier side in Canada. Toronto averages only about 84 mm (3.3 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Canada?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Toronto, January may not be the ideal time to visit Canada.

Generally speaking, June, July, August and September provide perfect weather in Toronto. The weather in January, February, March, April, November and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Canada.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Canada? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Canada.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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