January weather - Winter 2025

Weather in January
Frequently asked questions
Average temperature in January
Average pressure in January
Average wind speed in January
Average humidity in January
Average rainfall in January
Average rainfall days in January
Average snowfall in January
Average snowfall days in January
Average sea temperature in January
Average daylight in January
Average sunshine in January
Average sunshine days in January
Average UV index in January
Average cloud cover in January
Average visibility in January

Wintertime in Anchorage, Alaska with mountains blanketed in snow

Weather in January

January in Anchorage, Alaska reveals a somewhat bleak landscape, painted in hues of white and gray. Cold temperatures prevail, with averages oscillating between 13.1°F (-10.5°C) and 20.3°F (-6.5°C), marking January as one of the coldest months of the year. The landscapes are repeatedly dusted by snowfall, adding a whimsical touch to the overall chilly environment. Winds brush past lightly without significant gusts. Despite the bright winter sunshine reflecting off the snow, the city sees just a few hours of daylight, thus emphasizing the reputation of the Alaskan winter.

Temperature

January, on average, is the coldest month, registering a high temperature of 20.3°F (-6.5°C) and a low of 13.1°F (-10.5°C).

Humidity

The months with the highest humidity are January through March, with an average relative humidity of 86%.

Rainfall

In January, the rain falls for 7.8 days. Throughout January, 0.63" (16mm) of precipitation is accumulated. In Anchorage, during the entire year, the rain falls for 139.9 days and collects up to 12.6" (320mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January through May, September through December are months with snowfall. In Anchorage, in January, snow falls for 9.3 days, with typically accumulated 3.15" (80mm) of snow. Throughout the year, there are 59.3 snowfall days, and 23.5" (597mm) of snow is accumulated.

Ocean temperature

In January, the average ocean temperature is 37°F (2.8°C).
Note: In the course of swimming, this situation is life-threatening and fraught with risk. The severe cold of the water leads to immediate hyperventilation. Wearing a specialized swimsuit is critical to limit thermal injury.

Daylight

In Anchorage, Alaska, the average length of the day in January is 6h and 35min.
On the first day of January, sunrise is at 10:13 am and sunset at 3:52 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 9:22 am and sunset at 5:03 pm AKST.

Sunshine

The average sunshine in January is 4h.

UV index

The average daily maximum UV index in January is 2. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health risk from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for the average person.
Note: An average UV index of 2 in January transforms into this advice:
Children, infants, and individuals with sensitive skin should be constantly protected from extended sun exposure. To protect against the Sun's most potent rays, avoid direct exposure around midday. Equip yourself with UVA and UVB-filtering sunglasses on clear, sunny days. Be attentive! The reflective property of snow can nearly double the Sun's UV radiation.

Updated: Jun 3, 2024 | Published by: Weather Atlas | About Us / Weather Forecasting / Data Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the coldest time of year?

In Anchorage, January records the average lowest temperatures, peaking at 20.3°F (-6.5°C) and reaching a low of 13.1°F (-10.5°C).

How cold is January?

In Anchorage, in January, the average high-temperature is 20.3°F (-6.5°C), and the average low-temperature is 13.1°F (-10.5°C).

What are the most humid months?

January through March, with an average relative humidity of 86%, are most humid months.

What is the average humidity in January in Anchorage?

The average relative humidity in January is 86%.

How many days does it rain in January?

In Anchorage, during January, the rain falls for 7.8 days and regularly aggregates up to 0.63" (16mm) of precipitation.

How much does it snow in January?

In Anchorage, in January, snow falls for 9.3 days, with typically accumulated 3.15" (80mm) of snow.

What is the ocean temperature in January?

In Anchorage, in January, the average water temperature is 37°F (2.8°C). For swimming, this is considered life-threatening and very dangerous. The water feels painfully cold, and hyperventilation quickly occurs. A specialized swimsuit is mandatory to reduce thermal damage.

What is the average length of the day in January?

In Anchorage, the average day length in January is 6h and 35min.

When are sunrise and sunset in January?

In January, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 10:13 am and sunset at 3:52 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 9:22 am and sunset at 5:03 pm AKST.

How long on average sun shines in January?

In January, the average sunshine duration is 4h.

How high is the UV index in January?

The average daily maximum UV index in January is 2. A UV Index value of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health risk from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.

Today

Tomorrow

Long-term

Year January F M A M J J A S O N D

Dec

January

Feb

Average high temperature

23.4°F -4.8°C

20.3°F -6.5°C

24.8°F -4°C

Average low temperature

Average pressure

Average wind speed

Average max. wind speed

6.7mph 10.8km/h

5.8mph 9.3km/h

5.7mph 9.2km/h

Average wind speed gusts

Average humidity

Average rainfall

Average rainfall days

Average snowfall

Average snowfall days

11.6

9.3

11.4

Average sea temperature

Average daylight

Average sunshine

Average sunshine days

15.5

16.9

12.8

Average UV index

Average cloud cover

Average visibility

Average temperature in January
Anchorage, AK

Average high temperature in January: 20.3°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (61.9°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (20.3°F).

Average low temperature in January: 13.1°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (51.3°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (13.1°F).

Average pressure in January
Anchorage, AK

Average pressure in January: 29.7"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is July (29.96"Hg).
The months with the lowest atmospheric pressure are November and December (29.67"Hg).

Average wind speed in January
Anchorage, AK

Average wind speed in January: 5.5mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is November (6.3mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is July (4.5mph).

Average humidity in January
Anchorage, AK

Average humidity in January: 86%

The months with the highest relative humidity are January, February and March (86%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is May (68%).

Average rainfall in January
Anchorage, AK

Average rainfall in January: 0.63"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is September (1.93").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is May (0.55").

Average rainfall days in January
Anchorage, AK

Average rainfall days in January: 7.8 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (17.9 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (7 days).

Average snowfall in January
Anchorage, AK

Average snowfall in January: 3.15"

The month with the highest snowfall is December (5.51").
The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0").

Average snowfall days in January
Anchorage, AK

Average snowfall days in January: 9.3 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is December (11.6 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are June, July and August (0 days).

Average sea temperature in January
Anchorage, AK

Average sea temperature in January: 36.9°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (53.1°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (35.8°F).

Average daylight in January /
Average sunshine in January
Anchorage, AK

Average daylight in January: 6h and 4min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 19h and 12min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 5h and 36min).

Average sunshine in January: 4h and 0min

The months with the most sunshine are May and June (Average sunshine: 11h and 42min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 3h and 48min).

Average sunshine days in January
Anchorage, AK

Average sunshine days in January: 16.9 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (16.9 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is September (11.1 days).

Average UV index in January
Anchorage, AK

Average UV index in January: 2

The months with the highest UV index are June and July (UV index 4).
The month with the lowest UV index is February (UV index 1).

Average cloud cover in January
Anchorage, AK

Average cloud cover in January: 40

The month with the most cloud cover is December (Cloud cover 47).
The month with the least cloud cover is May (Cloud cover 38).

Average visibility in January
Anchorage, AK

Average visibility in January: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The month with the lowest visibility is March (5mi).

January weather forecast
Anchorage, AK

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