Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Rhône-Alps Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in the Rhône-Alps, France in January.

Thinking about venturing to the Rhône-Alps, France 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 the Rhône-Alps in January

The Rhône-Alps, France is a region in France. In January, the Rhône-Alps experiences a range of weather conditions, with temperatures that range from very cold to cold and precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. During January, winter is in full swing.

Temperatures

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Aussois at -5°C (23°F) to cold in Saint-Just at 11°C (52°F). At night it cools down to 3°C (37°F) in Saint-Just and -13°C (9°F) in Aussois. On average, January is the coldest month of the year in the Rhône-Alps, France. So be prepared and make sure to pack winter cloths.

For a closer look at conditions across the Rhône-Alps, France, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate rainfall in Buisson with an average of 62 mm (2.4 in) to heavy rainfall in Servoz with 163 mm (6.4 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is quite limited in many locations during January. Lyon receives roughly 72 hours of sunlight. For destinations with more sunshine, our weather planner offers alternatives worldwide.

Explore the Rhône-Alps by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in the Rhône-Alps — and find the best time to visit. (based on Lyon)

Best Places to Visit in the Rhône-Alps in January

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

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 the Rhône-Alps

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in the Rhône-Alps, France?

Temperature range in the Rhône-Alps (January)

Precipitation variation in the Rhône-Alps (January)

Lyon

In January Lyon generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 8°C (46°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
8°C (46°F)
8°C (46°F)
10°C (50°F)
Min temperature
2°C (36°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Monthly sun hours
54 hours
72 hours
101 hours
Monthly rainfall
83 mm (3.3 in)
78 mm (3.1 in)
69 mm (2.7 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

In January Chamonix-Mont-Blanc generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C (27°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C (10°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Min temperature
-11°C (12°F)
-12°C (10°F)
-11°C (12°F)
Monthly sun hours
75 hours
70 hours
120 hours
Monthly snowfall
168 mm (6.6 in)
151 mm (5.9 in)
139 mm (5.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Tignes

In January Tignes generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -5°C (23°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -12°C (10°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
-11°C (12°F)
-12°C (10°F)
-11°C (12°F)
Monthly sun hours
75 hours
70 hours
120 hours
Monthly snowfall
133 mm (5.2 in)
121 mm (4.8 in)
108 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
15 days
16 days
15 days
Weather conditions

Les Deux Alpes

In January Les Deux Alpes generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C (30°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -10°C (14°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
0°C (32°F)
-1°C (30°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-9°C (16°F)
-10°C (14°F)
-9°C (16°F)
Monthly sun hours
73 hours
96 hours
113 hours
Monthly snowfall
138 mm (5.4 in)
123 mm (4.8 in)
108 mm (4.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Les Menuires

In January Les Menuires generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -11°C (12°F) and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
0°C (32°F)
Min temperature
-10°C (14°F)
-11°C (12°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Monthly sun hours
60 hours
76 hours
107 hours
Monthly snowfall
141 mm (5.6 in)
127 mm (5 in)
117 mm (4.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
15 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in the Rhône-Alps, in France.

In our records: France January extremes

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

  • In our records, the coldest January daytime high in France was -14°C (7°F) in Colmar on January 12, 1987.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in the Rhône-Alps in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Lyon 8°C (46°F) 1°C (34°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc -3°C (27°F) -12°C (10°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Tignes -5°C (23°F) -12°C (10°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Les Deux Alpes -1°C (30°F) -10°C (14°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Les Menuires -2°C (28°F) -11°C (12°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Val Thorens -3°C (27°F) -11°C (12°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)

The Rhône-Alps weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in the Rhône-Alps, France in January?

In January, the Rhône-Alps, France generally has poor weather conditions. Lyon sees daytime temperatures near 8°C (46°F), with nights cooling to roughly 1°C (34°F).

What is the average temperature in the Rhône-Alps, France in January?

In Lyon, the average daytime high in January is 8°C (46°F), while nighttime temperatures drop to around 1°C (34°F).

Does the Rhône-Alps, France get a lot of rain in January?

Rain is generally moderate to light in the Rhône-Alps, France during January, with Lyon averaging close to 78 mm (3.1 in).

Is January a Good Time to Visit the Rhône-Alps, France?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Lyon, January may not be the ideal time to visit the Rhône-Alps, France.

On average, the best time to visit the Rhône-Alps, France is in May, June, July and August with generally perfect weather in Lyon. On the other hand, the weather in January, February, November and December tend to be poor.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in the Rhône-Alps.

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

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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