SeasonMapBern weather in January
Switzerland
January in Bern: cold, rainy, with clean air — one of the weakest months to visit.
#12 of 12 months in Bern · #1212 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 44/100 (tier F)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Bern in January
Notes from nearby Gstaad (54 km away)
Bern doesn't have its own notes for January yet — these are about Gstaad, close enough to share the season.
Gstaad's forum has a thread specifically for visitors who aren't skiing, which tells you something useful: regulars point non-skiers toward the fondue hikes and the valley's hiking trails, with the Château-d'Oex hot air balloon festival a genuine draw if your January dates happen to overlap it.
Other months in Bern
Switzerland's forum calls July and August the warmest, sunniest months for the lower cities, with some years staying dry and sunny throughout and others bringing rain most days — it varies a lot year to year. Regulars' standard packing list: a t-shirt, a fleece layer, and a proper rain coat, since mountain-influenced weather can change quickly even down in Bern.
Add your own note from Bern's card on the map.
Bern climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 4°C / 40°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -2°C / 28°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 1°C / 34°F | |
| Rainfall | 102 mm / 4 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 15 days | |
| Humidity | 80% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | -2°C / 29°F | |
| Sunshine | 5.3 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9 h | |
| Wind | 11 km/h / 7 mph | |
| Snowfall | 19.7 cm / 7.8 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 33 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Bern in January
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
BusyChristmas holidays in Switzerland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Bern's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Toughest weatherBern's weather peaks June–August.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Bern — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Bern?
Bern in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Bern?
- January in Bern: cold, rainy, with clean air — one of the weakest months to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Bern on SeasonMap's comfort score (44/100).
- What is the weather like in Bern in January?
- In January, Bern averages a daily high of 4.3°C and a low of -2.1°C, with about 102.3 mm of rain over roughly 14.8 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Bern in January?
- Bern has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 33 in January.
- Does it snow in Bern in January?
- Bern sees roughly 19.7 cm of snowfall in January.
Other months in Bern
Warmer or cooler than Bern in January
Similar destinations in Central Europe — January
Within 300 km: Interlaken's Harder Potschete on 2 Jan, and Gstaad's Sommets Musicaux around 28 Jan – 8 Feb.