Weather in Krakow in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Krakow and ranks 134th 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, Krakow is 6.4°C cooler by day and 7.1°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Krakow peaks at 1.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 7.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -4.9°C; one night in ten drops to -13.7°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 14.8°C (1993-01-12) and the coldest night -29.1°C (2006-01-23).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 11 days with 1 mm or more, 43 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2007 with 89 mm, the driest 2017 with 15 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 2.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:34 and sets about 16:05 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 74%.

Is January a good time to visit Krakow?

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

Pack for colder conditions than the average

The average is only a starting point for packing. The coldest 10% of nights reach -13.7°C or lower, so a substantial winter coat, gloves, a hat and warm layers are sensible rather than optional extras. Choose footwear that keeps your feet warm and dry, especially if you expect to walk between indoor stops. Some milder days reach 7.6°C or more, but do not build your plans around that reprieve. Evenings deserve particular thought: dress for time spent waiting outside as well as walking. This month is a better fit for travellers happy to take warming breaks than for anyone wanting to stay outdoors throughout the day.

Use the daylight and leave room for wet weather

With 8.3 hours of daylight and about 2.2 hours of sunshine, it helps to put outdoor plans into the brighter part of the day rather than leave them until late afternoon. Rainfall reaches the rainy-day threshold on about 11 days, so carry a waterproof outer layer and have indoor alternatives ready. That does not mean every wet day is a write-off, but a rigid walking schedule is less useful than plans you can rearrange. January is Krakow's coldest month, so choose it because you are content with a winter city break, not because you expect comfortable outdoor weather.