Weather in Prague in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Prague and ranks 133rd of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Prague is 4.4°C cooler by day and 4.6°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Prague peaks at 3.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 8.9°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -2.4°C; one night in ten drops to -9.7°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 15.5°C (1993-01-12) and the coldest night -22.2°C (2010-01-27).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 10 days with 1 mm or more, 37 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2012 with 69 mm, the driest 1996 with 10 mm. Humidity averages 81%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:56 and sets about 16:27 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 73%.

Is January a good time to visit Prague?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Prague on our scoring are August, July, June.

Expect cold afternoons and colder evenings

January is Prague's coldest month, and the average daytime high leaves little room for sitting comfortably outside. Pack an insulated coat, warm layers, gloves, a hat and sturdy footwear rather than relying on a light jacket. The coldest 10% of nights fall to -9.7°C or lower, so check the forecast before deciding how much evening walking to plan. There can be milder spells: the warmest 10% of days reach 8.9°C or more, but that is not a sensible basis for packing. This month works best if you enjoy short outdoor stretches broken up by time somewhere warm, rather than staying outside from morning until night.

Keep daylight plans flexible

There are about 8.3 hours of daylight, but only 2.2 hours of sunshine on an average day, so do not expect a bright winter backdrop throughout your stay. Put the outdoor parts of your day into the daylight window and leave indoor time for later. About 10 days have measurable rain, making a waterproof outer layer and footwear that keeps your feet dry useful choices. Rain does not mean every day is a washout, but a rigid outdoor schedule is a poor fit. Keep room to swap plans around when conditions change, and avoid making a long walk the only appealing option for an afternoon.