Austin in January
In January, Austin averages 16°C (61°F) during the day and 6°C (42°F) at night, with around 12 days of rain (65 mm total).
ShoulderConditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.
January in Austin is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).
How January compares to the rest of the year in Austin
January is one of the coolest months in Austin (12th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 10°C below the annual average (26°C). January runs 1°C cooler than December (18°C) and warms a further 2°C into February (18°C).
January sunrise & sunset in Austin
Times shown for Austin local time (America/Chicago), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.
Photography light in Austin — January
Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Austin's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).
📅 When to book — Austin in January
Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Austin's popularity.
January in United States — events that affect travel
Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.
Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.
Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.
Crowds & pricing — January in Austin
Austin is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.
Why this tier: comfortable tourism weather
Sun & mosquito risk — January in Austin
UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.
Austin in other months
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rain days | Snow days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°C / 61°F | 6°C / 42°F | 65 mm | 12 | — |
| February | 18°C / 64°F | 7°C / 45°F | 76 mm | 14 | — |
| March | 23°C / 73°F | 12°C / 54°F | 78 mm | 17 | — |
| April | 26°C / 79°F | 15°C / 60°F | 127 mm | 17 | — |
| May | 29°C / 85°F | 20°C / 67°F | 187 mm | 22 | — |
| June | 33°C / 91°F | 23°C / 74°F | 97 mm | 19 | — |
| July | 35°C / 95°F | 25°C / 77°F | 55 mm | 13 | — |
| August | 35°C / 96°F | 25°C / 77°F | 117 mm | 15 | — |
| September | 32°C / 89°F | 22°C / 72°F | 103 mm | 16 | — |
| October | 27°C / 81°F | 17°C / 62°F | 114 mm | 13 | — |
| November | 21°C / 69°F | 11°C / 52°F | 84 mm | 15 | — |
| December | 18°C / 64°F | 8°C / 46°F | 84 mm | 12 | — |
Other cities with similar January weather
🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Austin in January →
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Austin in January?
In January, Austin averages a high of 16°C (61°F) and a low of 6°C (42°F) — generally cool.
Does it rain a lot in Austin in January?
January can be fairly wet in Austin, with about 12 rainy days on average.
Is January a good time to visit Austin?
January is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.
What should I pack for Austin in January?
Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full January packing list for Austin for a complete, climate-based checklist.
Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.