Weather in January in Switzerland
Are you planning a trip a to Switzerland in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Switzerland in January?
The weather in Switzerland in January can be quite varied, with temperatures that range from very cold to cold and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to high. During January, winter is in full swing.
Temperatures
The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Arolla at -7°C to cold in Balerna at 7°C. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 0°C in Balerna and -15°C in Arolla. On average, January is the coldest month of the year in Switzerland. So be prepared and make sure to pack winter cloths.For specific regional insights in Switzerland, refer to the map provided below.
Precipitation
In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snowfall in Sta Maria Val Müstair with an average of 59 mm to high snowfall in Adelboden with 155 mm.Average sunshine
Most cities witness limited sunny days, expect roughly 86 hours of sunlight in Zermatt. This low amount of sunlight is perfect for those who lean towards dimmer, cloudier weather rather than intense sunny days.For more details on the yearly climate, visit our Switzerland climate page.
Where to go in Switzerland in January
Select a Month of Interest
Check the conditions for any month of the year.
For a detailed overview over the year and the best time to visit Switzerland, check out our Switzerland's climate page.
Popular destinations
What is the weather like in January for the 5 most popular destinations in Switzerland?
Zermatt
In January Zermatt generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
Grindelwald
In January Grindelwald generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -11°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
Nendaz
In January Nendaz generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
Zürich
In January Zürich generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
Davos
In January Davos generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Switzerland.
Is January the best time to visit Switzerland?
In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Switzerland with often poor weather in Zermatt.
On average, the best time to visit Switzerland is in August with generally unpleasant weather in Zermatt.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Switzerland.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Switzerland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Switzerland.
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.