Poland Warsaw Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Warsaw is low
Warsaw Weather in January — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 0° / -5°
- Rainfall
- 35mm · 16 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Warsaw in January averages a high of 0°C and low of -5°C with 35mm of rain over about 16 days. Deep winter — around 0°C/-5°C (32°F/23°F), often dropping below -10°C in cold snaps, with snow and grey skies. A heavy winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, thermals, and waterproof boots are essential. Short daylight and frequent overcast.
January is low for Warsaw.
January is Warsaw's coldest, darkest month — around 0°C/-5°C (32°F/23°F), frequently dipping below -10°C, with snow, ice, and very short days. It's the deep low season: the city is quiet, the Old Town atmospheric under snow, and hotels at their cheapest.
This is an indoor-museum month. The POLIN Museum, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Royal Castle, and the Palace of Culture's terrace all shine when it's freezing outside. Cap it with a milk-bar żurek or hot chocolate at Wedel.
Travel score
Warsaw January Weather Stats
Avg High
0°C
Avg Low
-5°C
Rainy Days
16
35mm total
Sunshine
1.5h
Daily avg
Humidity
86%
cold
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
17 km/h
Gusts 32
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
38 μg/m³
PM10
55 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-4°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
17 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheapest hotels of the year
- Quiet, atmospheric snowy Old Town
- Ideal for the major indoor museums
- Festive tail of the Christmas season (early January)
Cons
- Bitterly cold — often below -10°C
- Snow, ice, and short daylight
- Winter smog on still days
- Grey, overcast skies
January Events & Festivals
- New Year holiday (Jan 1) — public holiday
- Christmas markets wind down (early January)
- Epiphany (Jan 6) — public holiday
- Winter low season — cheapest hotels of the year
Warsaw in January — Full Picture
January is Warsaw's coldest, darkest month — around 0°C/-5°C (32°F/23°F), frequently dipping below -10°C, with snow, ice, and very short days. It's the deep low season: the city is quiet, the Old Town atmospheric under snow, and hotels at their cheapest.
This is an indoor-museum month. The POLIN Museum, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Royal Castle, and the Palace of Culture's terrace all shine when it's freezing outside. Cap it with a milk-bar żurek or hot chocolate at Wedel.
Winter smog can be an issue on still, cold days, when coal-heating haze settles over the city — air quality occasionally drops to moderate or worse. Sensitive travelers may want to check daily readings.
Pack seriously for the cold: a heavy coat, thermals, hat, gloves, and waterproof, non-slip boots for icy pavements. Daylight is short (sunrise after 7:30am, sunset before 4pm), so plan outdoor sights for the middle of the day.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Deep winter — around 0°C/-5°C (32°F/23°F), often dropping below -10°C in cold snaps, with snow and grey skies. A heavy winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, thermals, and waterproof boots are essential. Short daylight and frequent overcast.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
12.7°C
4°C
12.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
23.3°C
13°C
13/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
12.7°C
5°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current1°C
-3.7°C
15.3/mo
Warsaw Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0° | -5° | 16d·35mm | 1.5h | 86% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 1° | -4° | 14d·30mm | 2.5h | 84% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 6° | -1° | 13d·35mm | 4h | 78% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 13° | 4° | 12d·35mm | 5.5h | 70% | 4 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 19° | 9° | 13d·60mm | 7h | 68% | 5 | Busy | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 22° | 12° | 13d·65mm | 8h | 68% | 6 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 24° | 14° | 14d·75mm | 8h | 70% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 24° | 13° | 12d·60mm | 7.5h | 72% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 19° | 9° | 12d·50mm | 5.5h | 76% | 4 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 13° | 5° | 12d·40mm | 3.5h | 82% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 1° | 15d·40mm | 1.5h | 87% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 2° | -2° | 16d·35mm | 1h | 88% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Warsaw January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Warsaw?
Warsaw in January is low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Warsaw in January?
Warsaw January averages a high of 0°C and a low of -5°C.
Does it rain much in Warsaw in January?
Warsaw January averages 35mm of rainfall over about 16 rainy days.
What should I wear in Warsaw in January?
Deep winter — around 0°C/-5°C (32°F/23°F), often dropping below -10°C in cold snaps, with snow and grey skies. A heavy winter coat, hat, gloves, scarf, thermals, and waterproof boots are essential. Short daylight and frequent overcast.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Warsaw in January?
Warsaw January sunrise is 07:40 and sunset is 15:50, with 8h 10min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Warsaw in January?
Warsaw January air quality (AQI) averages 72, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 38μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Warsaw in January?
In January, Warsaw is great for POLIN & Warsaw Uprising museums, Royal Castle interiors, Palace of Culture terrace.
Is January peak season in Warsaw?
Warsaw January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Warsaw
View Other Months
Planning a January trip to Warsaw?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.