What January feels like in Calgary
January is mid-winter in Calgary. Afternoons stay around freezing — the sort of cold that makes long outdoor stretches hard work. Evenings bring a clear drop in temperature, and nights drop well below freezing. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Calgary in January
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 8. Rainfall per wet day is small, about 3.2 mm (0.1 in), so showers tend to pass quickly. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 5.3 mm per rainy day. January is Calgary's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in January
Mid-month, Calgary gets 8 h 23 min of daylight, from sunrise near 8:34 am to sunset near 4:56 pm. The days are stretching out — 26 min more daylight than mid-December. About 72% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How January compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, January comes out as the 2nd coolest month in Calgary. Against December, the average high is 1.6°C (2.9°F) higher, with 6 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into February. February averages a high of -1.5°C (29.3°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Calgary in January
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Warm Layers
A warm jacket, a hat and gloves for cold mornings and evenings.
Quick questions
How warm is Calgary in January?
It feels freezing: typical highs are -1.6°C (29.1°F), with lows near -11.6°C (11.1°F).
Does it rain a lot in Calgary in January?
Not especially. There are about 4 rainy days (13 mm), mostly light rain.
What should I wear in Calgary in January?
Based on the averages: versatile layers and warm layers. Add a layer for after dark.
Is January or February better for visiting Calgary?
On our 12-month climate ranking, January comes out ahead (#8 of 12 vs #9). February has more rainy days.