Weather in Amsterdam in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Amsterdam and ranks 129th 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, Amsterdam is 1.7°C cooler by day and 0.4°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Amsterdam peaks at 5.7°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 9.9°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 1.8°C; one night in ten drops to -3.8°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 14.3°C (2018-01-24) and the coldest night -13.1°C (1997-01-02).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 13 days with 1 mm or more, 64 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 1995 with 114 mm, the driest 1997 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 85%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 4.7°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 3.4°C to 5.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (19.5°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:44 and sets about 16:55 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 74%.

Is January a good time to visit Amsterdam?

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

Dress for colder spells, not just the average

An average high of 5.7°C means you should expect proper winter clothing during the day, not just after dark. Pack an insulated coat, gloves and layers you can remove indoors. The coldest 10% of nights fall to -3.8°C or below, so evening plans need more thought than the average low suggests. Milder weather is possible: the warmest 10% of days reach 9.9°C or more, but that is still jacket weather rather than warmth to rely on. January works best if you enjoy short walks broken up by indoor stops. If long, unhurried days outside are central to your trip, a warmer month is a better fit.

Keep outdoor plans flexible and use the daylight

With about 13 rainy days, waterproof outerwear and shoes that keep your feet dry are more useful than hoping for a completely dry trip. That figure does not mean rain lasts all day, but it does make weather-dependent plans a gamble. There are about 8 hours of daylight and only 2.1 hours of sunshine daily, so daylight should not be confused with bright skies. Put the outdoor parts of your day into the daylight window and leave room to change plans when rain arrives. January is a reasonable choice if indoor time is part of the appeal; it is less suited to a trip built around being outdoors from morning to evening.