SeasonMapGatlinburg weather in January
United States
January in Gatlinburg: cold, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#12 of 12 months in Gatlinburg · #1058 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 53/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Gatlinburg in January
No notes yet. Open Gatlinburg on the map to add the first one.
Gatlinburg climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 7°C / 45°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -4°C / 25°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 4°C / 39°F | |
| Rainfall | 118 mm / 4.6 in | 🌧 rainy |
| Rainy days | 12 days | |
| Humidity | 74% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | -1°C / 30°F | |
| Sunshine | 6.2 h/day | |
| Daylight | 10.1 h | |
| Wind | 12 km/h / 8 mph | |
| Snowfall | 7 cm / 2.8 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 31 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Gatlinburg 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.
Peak crowdsWinter Magic lights, Winter / Christmas break in United States, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Gatlinburg'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 weatherGatlinburg's best weather comes in May, September and October — separate windows, not one continuous season.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Gatlinburg in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Festival
Winter Magic lights
5 Nov – 15 Feb · usuallyChristmas & New YearCrowdedThe Parkway is strung with LED displays and three-dimensional snow people from early November until the middle of February, so the lights outlast Christmas by six weeks. January is the cheap month to see them. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Gatlinburg — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Gatlinburg?
Gatlinburg in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Gatlinburg?
- January in Gatlinburg: cold, rainy, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #12 of 12 months for Gatlinburg on SeasonMap's comfort score (53/100).
- What is the weather like in Gatlinburg in January?
- In January, Gatlinburg averages a daily high of 7.3°C and a low of -4.1°C, with about 118 mm of rain over roughly 11.7 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Gatlinburg in January?
- Gatlinburg has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 31 in January.
- Does it snow in Gatlinburg in January?
- Gatlinburg sees roughly 7 cm of snowfall in January.
Other months in Gatlinburg
Compare Gatlinburg in January
Warmer or cooler than Gatlinburg in January
Similar destinations in North America — January
Within 300 km: Atlanta's King Day around 15–20 Jan, and Charlotte's Speedway Christmas lights around 15 Nov – 5 Jan.