Sweden

Sweden Weather in January

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

Considering a trip to Sweden this January and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in Sweden in January

Sweden 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 moderate to high. January is a winter month.

Temperatures

The average highest temperatures fluctuate between very cold in Porjus at -7°C (19°F) to cold in Simrishamn at 5°C (41°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 1°C (34°F) in Simrishamn and -15°C (5°F) in Porjus. 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 Sweden, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snowfall in Jukkasjärvi with an average of 39 mm (1.5 in) to high snowfall in Riksgränsen with 126 mm (5 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine hours are generally lower in most areas during January. Stockholm experiences about 45 hours of sunlight. If you're looking for brighter destinations, our weather planner can suggest better options.

Explore Sweden by month

Best Places to Visit in Sweden in January

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

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 Sweden

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

Temperature range in Sweden (January)

Precipitation variation in Sweden (January)

Stockholm

In January Stockholm generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
32 hours
45 hours
76 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
51 mm (2 in)
42 mm (1.7 in)
39 mm (1.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Gothenburg

In January Gothenburg generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C (28°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Monthly sun hours
33 hours
42 hours
71 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
80 mm (3.1 in)
76 mm (3 in)
66 mm (2.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
16 days
11 days
Weather conditions

Visby

In January Visby generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
32 hours
38 hours
72 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
56 mm (2.2 in)
47 mm (1.9 in)
45 mm (1.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
18 days
19 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Malmö

In January Malmö generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
4°C (39°F)
5°C (41°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
32 hours
45 hours
66 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
59 mm (2.3 in)
57 mm (2.2 in)
52 mm (2 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
17 days
13 days
Weather conditions

Simrishamn

In January Simrishamn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C (41°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C (34°F) and moderate monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
1°C (34°F)
0°C (32°F)
Monthly sun hours
32 hours
34 hours
55 hours
Monthly rainfall
72 mm (2.8 in)
62 mm (2.4 in)
59 mm (2.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
18 days
13 days
Weather conditions

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

In our records: Sweden January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Sweden in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • From our sources, the wettest January day in Sweden brought 258 mm (10 in) in Ystad on January 17, 1981.

Popular cities in January

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

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Stockholm 2°C (36°F) -4°C (25°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Gothenburg 4°C (39°F) -2°C (28°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Visby 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Simrishamn 5°C (41°F) 1°C (34°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Östersund -2°C (28°F) -9°C (16°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Kiruna -7°C (19°F) -15°C (5°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)

Sweden weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Sweden in January?

In January, Sweden generally has poor weather conditions. Stockholm sees daytime temperatures near 2°C (36°F), with nights cooling to roughly -4°C (25°F).

What is the average temperature in Sweden in January?

Average temperatures in Sweden during January range from a nighttime low near -4°C (25°F) to a daytime high around 2°C (36°F) in Stockholm.

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

Not particularly. Stockholm averages just 42 mm (1.7 in) of snow/rain in January, making it a mostly dry month for Sweden.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Sweden?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Sweden with often poor weather in Stockholm.

Generally speaking, June, July and August provide perfect weather in Stockholm. The weather in January, February, March, 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 Sweden.

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

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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Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.