What January feels like in Toronto
For Toronto, January is the heart of winter. Afternoons stay around freezing — the sort of cold that makes long outdoor stretches hard work. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights drop well below freezing and the temperature hardly changes after dark. The air is damp, which makes cool temperatures feel colder, particularly in wind.
Rain in Toronto in January
Showers are a regular feature, arriving about one day in 3. Wet days average about 6 mm (0.2 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Toronto's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 7 mm). It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in January
On 15 January the sun rises at about 7:48 am and sets around 5:04 pm local time, giving 9 h 16 min of daylight. Days are getting longer: 19 min more daylight than in mid-December. About 56% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, sun and cloud share the day.
How January compares to the rest of the year
In Toronto's temperature order, January sits as the coolest month. Against December, the average high is 3°C (5.4°F) lower, with 12 mm less rain. February is cooler again. February averages a high of -0.2°C (31.6°F).
Who January suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — it is cold for long walks.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — warm places to spend the coldest part of the day.
Tips for visiting Toronto in January
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
A proper winter coat, with gloves and a hat for early starts.
Quick questions
How warm is Toronto in January?
It feels freezing: typical highs are -0.4°C (31.3°F), with lows near -6.9°C (19.6°F).
Does it rain a lot in Toronto in January?
Quite a lot — 60 mm spread over about 10 days.
What should I wear in Toronto in January?
Pack rain protection and warm layers. There is little need to change for the evening.
Is January or February better for visiting Toronto?
February, narrowly: it ranks #9 of 12 among Toronto's months, against #11 for the other. February has fewer rainy days.