Will it snow? Will the canals freeze over in winter 2026?
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Amsterdam is beautiful any time of the year, and January is no exception — provided you dress for the occasion.
According to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute 1Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), January is the coldest month in most of the Netherlands. Along the sea coast February is slightly colder yet, when the water of the North Sea is at its coldest.
Typical Amsterdam weather in January is like this: Lows of 1° C (33.8° F) and highs of 6° C (42.8° F). The makes the average temperature is 3.5º Celsius (38.3º Fahrenheit). That’s cold, especially when there’s a stiff wind. January is a rainy month as well.
Over the past ten years on average Amsterdam had three days of snowfall in January — which looks wonderful.
The January 2026 Snow Storm
And yes, we had several wonderful days of snow in the second week of January this year.
Photos, YouTube
Snowfall in Amsterdam – City walk by City Collector Amsterdam – and another one
A Snowy Morning in Amsterdam, by WonderJourneys
And if you want to check the weather right now, look at these Amsterdam webcams
We haven’t had this much snow for many years, so even with all the inconvenience lots of people really enjoyed themselves.
Will there be more snow this month? Only time will tell.
— See the Weather Forecast below this ad —
Don’t spend your Amsterdam Trip waiting in line
The off season in Amsterdam includes the months of October and November, as well as January and February. During these months the city sees fewer tourists. Yet it remains surprisingly busy.
These are usually the gloomiest months of the year, often with bad weather and low temperatures. That means: not standing-in-line weather.
Your time in Amsterdam is precious. Don’t waste it standing in line. It’s a good idea to buy tickets for museums, tours, public transport ahead of time.
Amsterdam Weather Forecast, January 2026
Current 5 day forecast (Scroll hourly forecast for next 3 days)
10°C | °F 
Note: most days the feels-like temperature will be several degrees lower
Next Month
Check our February 2026 weather forecast.
Normal High and Low Temperatures in January
1-10: 0.3/5.1° Celsius (32.54/41.18° Fahrenheit)
11-20: 0.9/5.7° Celsius (33.62/42.26° Fahrenheit)
21-31: 0.7/5.5° Celsius (33.26/41.9° Fahrenheit)
Sunshine – but not much
On average there are 50 hours of sunshine — spread out over the entire month.
That said, while you may see many gray and gloomy days, from time to time there will be several hours worth of blue, cloudless skies. When that happens grab the opportunity to take postcard-perfect photographs of Amsterdam’s sunlit streets and canals.
Since the trees are bare, many canal-side façades that normally are somewhat hidden from view by the foliage are now more easy to see.
What to wear in Amsterdam in January
Warm clothing is a must, and you will want to wear a winterized/waterproof coat or jacket.
A good, windproof hat is not a luxury, and no one will look at you funny if you happen to be wearing earmuffs.
Complete your outfit with a warm scarf and gloves.
Don’t forget warm socks and cushioned insoles.
As always, dress in layers, as restaurants, cafés and apartments are well heated.
You might want to wear long johns or thermal underwear. You’ll thank us if you have to wait for a bus or streetcar in the freezing cold.
Tip: When there is snow or ice, road salt is spread on almost all roads — especially at key points such as bridges and junctions. Protect your shoes with a waterproof spray. If you still get salt stains, you can remove them with a cloth and a little vinegar.
More things to do in Amsterdam
Plan your Amsterdam trip:
- Save on accommodation from hostels and apartments to luxury hotels
- Pick your hotel on this map of Amsterdam and surroundings
- Cheap flights to Amsterdam
- Unlimited Public Transport 1-7 days
- Things to do in Amsterdam
- Key to the City: I Amsterdam City Card (Big Value)
- Visitor’s Guide
Amsterdam weather facts for January
Temperatures
• Average lows: -0.5° C (31° F)
• Average highs: 4.4° C (40° F)
Sunrise & Sunset
• January 1 – 8:51 a.m. / 4:38 p.m.
• December 31 – 8:24 a.m. / 5:26 p.m.
Rainfall
• Average 72mm (2.8 inches) in 72 hours
The weather in other months
Are you visiting us during another time of the year? Check the weather page roundup, which includes details about Amsterdam’s climate during the other months of the year.
More Amsterdam Tourist Information
- Amsterdam street food delicacy: Herring
- Amsterdam Webcams
- Amsterdam King’s Day 2026: All-Day Citywide Street Party!
- Keukenhof 2026: seven million tulips and other flowers
- National Tulip Day Amsterdam – Free Tulips
- Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo
Footnotes
- 1Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute ↩︎
Anton and Janet Hein live and work in Amsterdam. We are the publishers of DutchAmsterdam.
Anton was born on a houseboat in the center of Amsterdam, right across from the iconic Westertoren and what later became the Anne Frank House museum. Having lived in nearly every district since then, he knows the city like his own back pocket.
Janet was born in England and raised in Ireland before moving to Amsterdam 43 years ago. Even to date she brings an expat’s perspective to the DutchAmsterdam website.
Last updated Saturday, January 10, 2026 CET (Central European Time)
Do not republish or repost.
