01Weather
Toronto weather in January
Afternoons in January average 0.5 °C (33 °F) and nights cool to -5.7 °C (22 °F). The month brings about 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain spread over roughly 10 days. Compared with December it is 2.5 °C cooler; February is 1.7 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 6 °C / 42 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | -6 °C / 21 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -14 °C / 7 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 24.5 | frost mornings per month |
| Days with snow cover | 27.5 | snow depth ≥ 1 cm, per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 32 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 11.9 °C / -22.3 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 07:51 | 16:51 | 9.0 h |
| 15 January | 07:47 | 17:05 | 9.3 h |
| 31 January | 07:35 | 17:26 | 9.9 h |
Daylight grows by about 54 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Toronto).
03Crowds
How busy Toronto is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- deep cold
- post-holiday lull
- Winterlicious restaurant promotion
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Toronto in January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Winterlicious | late January to early February, prix-fixe menus | food |
07Packing
What to pack for Toronto in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
- gloves: frost on about 24 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the coldest month, with afternoons around minus two and wind off the lake that makes it feel far colder, but Winterlicious brings bargain set menus at top restaurants from late January and hotel rates are the lowest of the year. The PATH tunnels connect much of downtown, and outdoor skating at Nathan Phillips Square is free. Snow falls on about ten days.
The Toronto International Boat Show fills Exhibition Place mid-month. The Maple Leafs and Raptors play at Scotiabank Arena most weeks. The Toronto Light Festival in the Distillery District runs from mid-January to early March. Daylight runs from about half past seven to five. For the bitter cold, Family Day and Winterlicious, see February.
09Compare
Toronto month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 °C | -6 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| February | 2 °C | -5 °C | 10 | – | quiet | Mixed |
| March | 6 °C | -1 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| April | 12 °C | 4 °C | 9 | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 19 °C | 10 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 25 °C | 15 °C | 9 | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 28 °C | 19 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 27 °C | 18 °C | 6 | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 23 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| October | 16 °C | 8 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 2 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 3 °C | -3 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Mixed |
Not sure about January? See the best time to visit Toronto.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| New York City in January | 5 °C | 8 |
| Orlando in January | 22 °C | 2 |
| Miami in January | 25 °C | 5 |
| Cancún in January | 27 °C | – |
| Las Vegas in January | 14 °C | 1 |
| Vancouver in January | 8 °C | 16 |
11FAQ
Toronto in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Toronto?
January is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Toronto. Daytime highs average 0 °C (33 °F), rain falls on about 10 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Toronto in January?
Expect cold days around 0 °C (33 °F) and nights near -6 °C (22 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 6 °C, and one in ten stays below -6 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Toronto in January?
January brings about 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain over roughly 10 days, which is showery by Toronto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 32 percent.
What should I wear in Toronto in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Toronto crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: deep cold; post-holiday lull; Winterlicious restaurant promotion.
What time does it get dark in Toronto in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 17:05 and rises at 07:47, giving 9.3 hours of daylight.