SeasonMapSierra Nevada (Pradollano) weather in January
Spain
January in Sierra Nevada: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#1 of 12 months in Sierra Nevada · #971 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 59/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Sierra Nevada in January
Sierra Nevada's forum calls January a solid bet for skiing, with the resort's 2,100m elevation preserving snow well into spring in a good year. Regulars flag it as much colder here than the nearby Costa del Sol, and note snow chains can be required for driving when conditions turn — Andalucía has had lighter snow years recently, so it's worth checking current conditions before a trip.
Add your own note from Sierra Nevada's card on the map.
Sierra Nevada climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 7°C / 44°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | -2°C / 29°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 3°C / 37°F | |
| Rainfall | 43 mm / 1.7 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 7 days | |
| Humidity | 69% | 💧 humid |
| Dew point | -4°C / 25°F | |
| Sunshine | 8.1 h/day | |
| Daylight | 9.9 h | |
| Wind | 9 km/h / 6 mph | |
| Snowfall | 4.8 cm / 1.9 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 27 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Sierra Nevada 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 Spain, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Sierra Nevada'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).
Best weatherSierra Nevada's weather peaks January–March.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Sierra Nevada in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Season
Ski season
25 Nov – 30 Apr · usuallyEurope's most southerly resort usually opens at the end of November and runs to late April, three weeks past the Pyrenean resorts. Almost everything is above 2,100 m, which is why.
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Sierra Nevada — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Sierra Nevada?
Sierra Nevada in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit Sierra Nevada?
- January in Sierra Nevada: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #1 of 12 months for Sierra Nevada on SeasonMap's comfort score (59/100).
- What is the weather like in Sierra Nevada in January?
- In January, Sierra Nevada averages a daily high of 6.7°C and a low of -1.8°C, with about 43.1 mm of rain over roughly 7.4 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Sierra Nevada in January?
- Sierra Nevada has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 27 in January.
- Does it snow in Sierra Nevada in January?
- Sierra Nevada sees roughly 4.8 cm of snowfall in January.
Other months in Sierra Nevada
Compare Sierra Nevada in January
Warmer or cooler than Sierra Nevada in January
Similar destinations in Southern Europe — January
Within 300 km: Granada's Olive harvest around 15 Nov – 10 Feb, and Málaga's Calle Larios lights on 25 Nov – 6 Jan.