What January feels like in Nice
Mid-winter arrives in Nice with January. Days are chilly rather than freezing, and walking is comfortable with a proper jacket. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Nice in January
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 4. Rainy days are intense, averaging about 9.2 mm (0.4 in) — downpours rather than drizzle. That is close to Nice's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 9.1 mm).
Daylight and sunshine in January
In mid-January, sunrise is at about 8:02 am and sunset at about 5:17 pm (local time) — 9 h 16 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 19 min more daylight than mid-December. Measured sunshine covers about 77% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How January compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, January comes out as the coolest month in Nice. Afternoons run 1°C (1.8°F) cooler than in December, with 20 mm less rain. The cooling trend carries on into February. February averages a high of 12.5°C (54.5°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Nice in January
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Nice in January?
It feels chilly: typical highs are 11.9°C (53.4°F), with lows near 5.2°C (41.4°F).
Does it rain a lot in Nice in January?
Quite a lot — 73 mm spread over about 8 days.
What should I wear in Nice in January?
Based on the averages: rain protection, warm layers and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is January or February better for visiting Nice?
February scores better on our climate ranking (#8 of 12 vs #12), rated Good against Fair.