Cologne · WinterMonth summary
Cologne weather in January
❌ Poor
🌡️ Temperature min / max
1°C – 6°C
🌧 Rainy days
51% of days
☀️ Sunshine
3.7h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
1.5/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (7.8/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Cologne in January?
❌ Poor
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January is a difficult time for Cologne. July (7.8/10) is much more favourable.
By trip type
Cologne in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : — No sea access
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
Winter in Cologne is cool (6°C during the day). Days are short (3.7h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 51% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain % | Precip mm | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌦️ January | 1°C | 6°C | 51% | 2.8 | 3.7h | 1.5/10 |
| 🌦️ February | 2°C | 9°C | 45% | 2.5 | 6.1h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ March | 3°C | 11°C | 42% | 2.3 | 8.3h | 4.4/10 |
| ⛅ April | 6°C | 15°C | 38% | 1.9 | 10.7h | 7.0/10 |
| 🌤️ May | 10°C | 19°C | 38% | 2.2 | 12.3h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌤️ June | 14°C | 23°C | 40% | 2.7 | 12.8h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 15°C | 24°C | 40% | 2.9 | 12.7h | 7.8/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 15°C | 24°C | 39% | 2.1 | 11.8h | 7.7/10 |
| 🌤️ September | 13°C | 20°C | 34% | 2.7 | 10.5h | 7.3/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 9°C | 15°C | 45% | 2.4 | 6.1h | 4.6/10 |
| 🌦️ November | 5°C | 10°C | 47% | 2.5 | 4.9h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ December | 3°C | 7°C | 53% | 2.7 | 2.8h | 1.4/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Cologne averages 6°C, 51% rainy days and 3.7h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 1.5/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 7.8/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +18°C
- 🌧 Rainy days : -11%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +9.0h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Cologne in January
Is January a good time to visit Cologne?
January is not recommended for Cologne (score 1.5/10). With 51% rainy days and 3.7h of sunshine, consider July (7.8/10) instead.
Does it rain a lot in Cologne in January?
Yes, 51% of days see rain in January. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Cologne
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