Zermatt

Canton of Valais Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Canton of Valais, Switzerland in January.

Considering a trip to Canton of Valais, Switzerland 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 Canton of Valais in January

Canton of Valais, Switzerland is a region in Switzerland. January in Canton of Valais generally has very cold temperatures, with high precipitation. It's the height of winter.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -7°C (19°F) in Arolla to 2°C (36°F) in Torgon. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -7°C (19°F) in Torgon and -15°C (5°F) in Arolla. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

For a closer look at conditions across Canton of Valais, Switzerland, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From high snowfall in Zermatt with an average of 101 mm (4 in) to high snowfall in Les Crosets with 139 mm (5.5 in).

Average sunshine

Many places experience limited sunshine during this period. Zermatt receives around 86 hours of sunlight. If you prefer more sunny conditions, our weather planner can help you explore other destinations.

Explore Canton of Valais by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Canton of Valais — and find the best time to visit. (based on Zermatt)

Best Places to Visit in Canton of Valais in January

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

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 Canton of Valais

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Canton of Valais, Switzerland?

Temperature range in Canton of Valais (January)

Precipitation variation in Canton of Valais (January)

Zermatt

In January Zermatt generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C (19°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-14°C (7°F)
Monthly sun hours
83 hours
86 hours
104 hours
Monthly snowfall
110 mm (4.3 in)
101 mm (4 in)
93 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Nendaz

In January Nendaz generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-12°C (10°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
95 hours
132 hours
Monthly snowfall
140 mm (5.5 in)
128 mm (5 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Saas-Fee

In January Saas-Fee generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -5°C (23°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-3°C (27°F)
Min temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-12°C (10°F)
Monthly sun hours
83 hours
86 hours
104 hours
Monthly snowfall
111 mm (4.4 in)
103 mm (4.1 in)
95 mm (3.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
16 days
Weather conditions

Crans-Montana

In January Crans-Montana generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-11°C (12°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
95 hours
132 hours
Monthly snowfall
140 mm (5.5 in)
130 mm (5.1 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Verbier

In January Verbier generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C (9°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-12°C (10°F)
-13°C (9°F)
-12°C (10°F)
Monthly sun hours
70 hours
95 hours
132 hours
Monthly snowfall
142 mm (5.6 in)
130 mm (5.1 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Canton of Valais, in Switzerland.

In our records: Switzerland January extremes

Notable January records observed across cities in Switzerland 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 Switzerland brought 280 mm (11 in) in Ascona on January 30, 1996.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Canton of Valais in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Zermatt -7°C (19°F) -15°C (5°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Nendaz -4°C (25°F) -13°C (9°F) 128 mm (5 in)
Saas-Fee -5°C (23°F) -13°C (9°F) 103 mm (4.1 in)
Crans-Montana -4°C (25°F) -13°C (9°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Verbier -4°C (25°F) -13°C (9°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Veysonnaz -4°C (25°F) -13°C (9°F) 126 mm (5 in)

Canton of Valais weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Canton of Valais, Switzerland in January?

January in Canton of Valais, Switzerland brings poor weather. In Zermatt, daytime temperatures are typically around -7°C (19°F) and nighttime lows hover near -15°C (5°F).

What is the average temperature in Canton of Valais, Switzerland in January?

In Zermatt, the average daytime high in January is -7°C (19°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around -15°C (5°F).

Does Canton of Valais, Switzerland get a lot of snow in January?

Zermatt typically receives notable snowfall in January, about 101 mm (4 in) on average across Canton of Valais, Switzerland.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Canton of Valais, Switzerland?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Canton of Valais, Switzerland with often poor weather in Zermatt.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in August offering mostly unpleasant weather in Zermatt.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Canton of Valais.

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.

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