Climatological averages, historical records, packing tips and best time to visit Paris during January. Météo-France / ECMWF reanalysis 1991-2020.
Reference values based on 1991-2020 Météo-France / ECMWF climatology. Year-to-year variation can be significant.
| Metric | Value | Date |
|---|---|---|
| All-time high | 42.6 °C | July 2019 |
| Heatwave record | 40.4 °C | August 2003 |
| All-time low | -23.9 °C | December 1879 |
| 24h rainfall | 104 mm | September 1873 |
Official records (Météo-France). Secondary stations may have more extreme readings.
In January, Paris typically shows cold continental winter with damp grey skies. The average high temperature is around 7°C and the average low around 2°C, with monthly rainfall of 51 mm spread over roughly 15 rain days and about 62 hours of sunshine. Average relative humidity stands at 84% and wind speed averages 14 km/h.
The local calendar in January is shaped by winter sales and Galettes des Rois, so checking the forecast a few days in advance is worth it before any outdoor activity. Averages give a general picture but extreme events can vary widely: in January, Paris has recorded both unusually warm spells and cold incursions across recent decades.
For a typical stay we recommend warm coat, scarf and gloves. UV protection is sensible on sunny days, even in a mild winter month, and a closed-toe waterproof shoe helps on damp days. For multi-day trips bring thin layers that you can combine through the day.
The first two weeks of January usually offer the best balance in Paris: moderate crowds, friendlier prices and weather that remains representative of the month. Late January starts showing features of the transition to the next month. Use our custom historical lookup to check the actual values for the exact year you plan to travel.
Of the twelve months, January is the coldest in Paris and the 6th wettest. It collects 62 mm, 8 % of the whole year’s rain, spread over 12.5 days with appreciable precipitation. The warmest month is August and the wettest is December.
Among the 10 international cities with an ERA5-Land series on this site, in January Paris is the 6th warmest, with a mean maximum of 6.9 °C, and the 7th wettest. The wettest of them that month is New York, with 89 mm against Paris’s 62 mm.
ERA5-Land reanalysis from the Copernicus Climate Data Store (CC-BY licence), 30 complete years, 1995 to 2024. AEMET publishes normals for Spanish stations only, so the figures for Paris come from the global series. Sources and methodology → · Forecast for Paris →
