January in Amsterdam
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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 1 (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.
Normal Amsterdam weather in January is like this: the average temperature is 2.7º Celsius (36.68º Fahrenheit). That’s cold, especially when there’s a stiff wind. It’s a rainy month as well.
You can also expect anywhere from five to eight days of snow — which looks wonderful.
Amsterdam Weather Forecast, January 2023
Will be updated in January, 2023
We update this page with weather forecasts throughout January.
During the rest of the year see the general information on this page.
Note: Keep in mind that the feels-like temperature can be several degrees lower than those shown.
Cannot travel here right now? Here’s how to pretend you’re in Amsterdam
Long Term Amsterdam Forecast
Check our February weather information.
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 will be 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.
Cold or Mild
Mind you, we’re talking averages here. January can be much colder or much milder. January 2007 was so mild that if confused birds, plants and trees into acting like it was spring. Conversely, January 2010 turned out to be one of the snowiest in a long time.
January 2014 was very mild, as was the entire year. (In fact, 2014 was the warmest year since the weather service started keeping track three centuries ago).
2018 brought us a rather mild January, with hardly any snow (we had a huge snow storm in the previous December, one for the record books) — with high temperatures well above those normal for the month.
Is it global warming? Who knows, but January 2019 was yet another rather mild one. There was one day of snow, though.
As always, go with the flow. Plan to see some of Amsterdam’s many museums during inclement weather.
Tip: Films shown in Dutch movie theaters are shown in their original languages — subtitled in Dutch.
See the current weather with these Amsterdam webcams
What to wear in Amsterdam in January
Warm clothes are a must, and you will want to wear a winter proof/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 you outfit with a warm scarf and gloves.
Don’t forget warm socks and padded insoles.
As always, dress in layers because restaurants, café’s and homes are well-heated.
That said, you may want to consider wearing long johns or thermal underwear. You’ll thank us when you’re waiting for a bus or tram in the biting cold.
InTip: case of snow or ice, road salt is spread on nearly all the streets — certainly at key points such as bridges and crossings. Protect your shoes with a waterproof spray. If you get salt spots anyway, they can be removed with a cloth and some vinegar.
Don’t Spend Your Amsterdam Trip Waiting in Line
(Certainly not in this kind of weather)
The off season in Amsterdam includes the months of October and November, as well as January and February. During these months the city sees the fewest tourists.
These are usually the gloomiest months of the year, often with bad weather and low temperatures. Read: not standing-in-line weather.
So as always when visiting Amsterdam, it’s a good idea to buy tickets for museums, tours, public transport ahead of time — if only to skip the line.
Amsterdam weather facts: 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
Would you rather visit us during another time of the year? Check the weather page roundup, which includes details about our climate during the other months of the year.
Explore More of Amsterdam
- Amsterdam Light Festival (and recommended alternatives)
- ‘Old Amsterdam’ cheese. Not that old. Not from Amsterdam
- Things to do in Amsterdam
- A’DAM Lookout — Amsterdam 360° Panorama Observation Deck
- Van Gogh Museum — Plan Your Visit
- Public Transport to and from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Notes:
- Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut, Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute ↩
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