Monthly climate guide
Cologne weather in January
Expect cold weather in Cologne in January: afternoons reach about 5°C (41°F), while nights drop to around 0°C (31°F). Around 76 mm of rain falls over the month (some rain), and skies are often cloudy. Daytime highs are about the same as December and about the same as February.
What stands out in January
- Just 130 km apart, but Cologne runs about 2°C warmer than Trier this month.
- Expect more cloud than at any other time of year.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 5°C).
- Pack for frost — nights average 0°C in January.
January is typically Cologne's coolest month.
Avg high
5°C
41°F
Avg low
0°C
31°F
Rainfall
76 mm
some rain
Humidity
92%
relative
Sky
83%
cloud · often cloudy
Cologne weather by month
Show the monthly averages as a table
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Humidity | Cloud cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°C / 41°F | 0°C / 31°F | 76 mm | 92% | 83% |
| February | 6°C / 43°F | -1°C / 30°F | 55 mm | 88% | 75% |
| March | 11°C / 51°F | 1°C / 34°F | 49 mm | 83% | 68% |
| April | 15°C / 59°F | 4°C / 40°F | 38 mm | 77% | 65% |
| May | 19°C / 65°F | 8°C / 46°F | 58 mm | 75% | 69% |
| June | 22°C / 72°F | 12°C / 53°F | 76 mm | 72% | 71% |
| July | 25°C / 76°F | 14°C / 57°F | 70 mm | 68% | 68% |
| August | 25°C / 77°F | 14°C / 57°F | 71 mm | 68% | 66% |
| September | 21°C / 70°F | 10°C / 51°F | 54 mm | 72% | 64% |
| October | 16°C / 60°F | 7°C / 45°F | 62 mm | 83% | 72% |
| November | 10°C / 49°F | 3°C / 38°F | 57 mm | 90% | 77% |
| December | 6°C / 44°F | 1°C / 35°F | 83 mm | 93% | 83% |
What to pack for January
- A proper insulated winter coat
- A hat, scarf and gloves
- Thermal base layers and warm, grippy boots for icy mornings
- A compact umbrella or packable rain jacket
- Water-resistant shoes
Is January a good time to visit Cologne?
Our Cologne guide recommends: April to October for mild weather and long daylight hours.
Kölsch beer is traditionally served in small 0.2-litre glasses — expect your waiter to keep bringing fresh ones until you say stop.
Best time to visit Cologne →Other Germany cities in January
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Cologne weather in January. WeatherCompare, 2026 (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020 monthly averages). https://weathercompare.eu/weather/germany/cologne/january
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/germany/cologne/january">Cologne weather in January</a> (WeatherCompare)
<iframe src="https://weathercompare.eu/embed/germany/cologne" width="300" height="160" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" loading="lazy" title="Cologne weather in January"></iframe> <p style="font-size:12px"><a href="https://weathercompare.eu/weather/germany/cologne/january">Cologne weather in January</a> – WeatherCompare</p>
Cologne in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Cologne?
January is cool in Cologne, with highs around 5°C. Better for museums and city walks than the beach, and usually quieter.
How warm is Cologne in January?
Average highs are about 5°C (41°F) and average lows about 0°C (31°F), based on 10 years of daily data.
Does it rain a lot in Cologne in January?
Cologne typically gets around 76 mm of rain in January — some rain.
When is the best time to visit Cologne?
April to October for mild weather and long daylight hours.
Figures are long-term averages for the area around Cologne (NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020), not a forecast for a specific year. For upcoming days, see the live multi-source forecast.