What January feels like in Minneapolis
Winter bottoms out in January, the coolest month of Minneapolis's year. Even the warmest hour of the day stays near freezing. Once the sun goes down the air changes: nights drop well below freezing. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Minneapolis in January
Rain turns up now and then — about one day in 6. Each rainy day adds about 4.1 mm (0.2 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 8.2 mm per rainy day. January is Minneapolis's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in January
In mid-January, sunrise is at about 7:48 am and sunset at about 4:56 pm (local time) — 9 h 8 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 20 min more daylight than mid-December. The sun is out for roughly 66% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How January compares to the rest of the year
In Minneapolis's temperature order, January sits as the coolest month. Afternoons run 2.5°C (4.5°F) cooler than in December, with 27 mm less rain. From here it only gets warmer, starting with February. February averages a high of -3.1°C (26.4°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis in January?
Expect around -4.7°C (23.5°F) in the afternoon and -13.4°C (7.9°F) at night, which most visitors would call freezing.
Does it rain a lot in Minneapolis in January?
Only moderately: roughly 5 wet days and 20 mm, usually moderate rain.
What should I wear in Minneapolis in January?
Based on the averages: versatile layers and warm layers. Bring something extra for the cooler evenings.
Is January or February better for visiting Minneapolis?
January, narrowly: it ranks #10 of 12 among Minneapolis's months, against #11 for the other. February is warmer and has more rainy days.