Weather in Boston in January
January in Boston is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
In United States, this is how Boston actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. January is the cold side of the year in Boston. Pack for that, not for a leftover summer photo.
- Average temp
- -1°C
-5–3°C
- Rainfall
- 84 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 4.7 h
hours per day
- Wind
- 20 km/h
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Boston in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
Mixed skies in Boston in January. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Boston
Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Boston
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Boston
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
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FAQs about Boston
Climate averages for Boston, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Boston is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
July is the hottest month, with an average around 24°C.
December is the wettest month, with about 107 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
