Your January weather guide
CoolWeather in Vienna in January
Vienna in January suits a winter city break with indoor stops, rather than a trip built around long days outside. Average daytime highs are 3.1°C, nights fall to -2.8°C, and sunshine averages about 2.4 hours a day. This is Vienna's coldest month, so go prepared for proper winter weather. It can work well if you enjoy short walks between warm spaces; it is less suitable if comfortable outdoor wandering is your priority.
Long-term climate averages for Vienna, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Vienna, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Vienna.
- Average daytime high
- 3.1°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 9°C
- Average night-time low
- -2.8°C
- coldest 10% of nights: -9°C or lower
- Compared with London
- -4.3°C
- London averages 7.4°C in January
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 2.4h
- 28% of 8.6 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 8
- 35 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 81%
- Days over 25°C
- 0%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 15.8°C
- 1993-01-24
- Record low 1991-2020
- -21.3°C
- 2003-01-12
- Flight from London
- ≈ 2 h 18 min
- 1232 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How January compares
January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Vienna. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Vienna is 4.3°C cooler by day and 5.0°C cooler at night.
Daytime and night-time in January
The typical January day in Vienna peaks at 3.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 9.1°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -2.8°C; one night in ten drops to -8.5°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 15.8°C (1993-01-24) and the coldest night -21.3°C (2003-01-12).
Rain in January
Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 8 days with 1 mm or more, 35 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2013 with 83 mm, the driest 1991 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 81%.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 2.4 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:41 and sets about 16:26 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 71%.
Is January a good time to visit Vienna?
January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Vienna on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.
Pack for freezing evenings, not just chilly afternoons
The main catch is that even the average afternoon offers little warmth, while evenings and early starts are typically below freezing. Bring a warm coat, layers, gloves, a scarf and footwear that keeps your feet warm and dry. The coldest 10% of nights reach -8.5°C or lower, so a light jacket is not a sensible main layer. Milder spells do happen: the warmest 10% of days reach 9.1°C or more, but do not build your plans around them. Keep outdoor plans flexible and allow yourself regular indoor breaks, especially if you tend to feel the cold.
Make the most of the short daylight
January gives you about 8.6 hours of daylight, so put outdoor time ahead of activities that work just as well after dark. Limited sunshine means you should not expect a bright winter backdrop throughout your stay. There are about 8 rainy days, making a water-resistant outer layer useful even though rain need not dominate the trip. The practical approach is to choose your longer walks around the day's forecast and keep an indoor alternative ready. This weather suits travellers happy to adjust their pace; it is a poorer fit for anyone wanting to spend most of each day outside.
A little perspective
Vienna through the year
January is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuarySelected | 3.1°C | -2.8°C | 2.4 | 35 | 8 | 0% |
| February | 5.5°C | -2.1°C | 3.3 | 32 | 8 | 0% |
| March | 10.1°C | 1.1°C | 4.3 | 46 | 9 | 0% |
| April | 15.7°C | 5.5°C | 5.9 | 45 | 9 | 2% |
| May | 19.9°C | 10.4°C | 6.3 | 73 | 12 | 13% |
| Junebest | 23.7°C | 14.2°C | 6.9 | 76 | 12 | 38% |
| Julybest | 25.8°C | 16.3°C | 7.3 | 78 | 12 | 58% |
| Augustbest | 25.7°C | 16.1°C | 7.1 | 70 | 10 | 55% |
| September | 20.3°C | 11.9°C | 5.4 | 72 | 9 | 12% |
| October | 14.6°C | 7.2°C | 3.8 | 48 | 9 | 0% |
| November | 8.6°C | 2.8°C | 2.4 | 44 | 9 | 0% |
| December | 3.8°C | -1.6°C | 2.3 | 39 | 9 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in January
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Vienna in January FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Vienna hot in January?
Vienna is cool in January: the average daytime high is 3.1°C and nights average -2.8°C. Days over 25°C are rare in January.
How much does it rain in Vienna in January?
Vienna sees about 8 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 35 mm of rain in a typical January. The wettest January between 1991 and 2020 was 2013 (83 mm) and the driest was 1991 (4 mm).
How sunny is Vienna in January?
Vienna gets around 2.4 hours of sunshine a day in January out of 8.6 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Vienna compare with the UK in January?
Vienna is on average 4.3°C cooler than London by day in January (3.1°C against 7.4°C).
What is the hottest January on record in Vienna?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day in Vienna reached 15.8°C on 1993-01-24, and the coldest night dropped to -21.3°C on 2003-01-12.
Is Vienna colder than London in January?
Yes. Vienna's average daytime high is 3.1°C, compared with 7.4°C in London. That is a noticeable step down in warmth, so pack more warmly than you would for a typical January day in London, particularly if you plan to be outside after dark.
Would another month be better for warmer weather?
Yes. January is Vienna's coldest month, so it is not the choice for warmth. June, July and August are better options for a weather-led visit. Choose January if you are comfortable with winter clothing, short daylight and plans that include plenty of time indoors.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Vienna. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C