SeasonMapYork weather in January
United Kingdom
January in York: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit.
#11 of 12 months in York · #1071 of 1383 destinations to visit in January · comfort 53/100 (tier D)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on York in January
Other months in York
York's forum describes the city's weather as much like the rest of the UK in August — changeable, with rain that can start suddenly mid-sunny-day or clear just as suddenly mid-downpour. Regulars note the Yorkshire coast runs noticeably cooler than inland York if there's a north-easterly breeze off the sea, and that August is peak season so hotels and parking book up fast.
Add your own note from York's card on the map.
York climate normals — January
| Daytime high | 7°C / 45°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 1°C / 34°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 4°C / 39°F | |
| Rainfall | 53 mm / 2.1 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 11 days | |
| Humidity | 87% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 2°C / 35°F | |
| Sunshine | 3.6 h/day | |
| Daylight | 8.1 h | |
| Wind | 23 km/h / 14 mph | |
| Snowfall | 4.2 cm / 1.7 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 29 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in York 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 United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for York'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 weatherYork's weather peaks June–August.
January coincides with The Ouse comes up.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in York in January
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Hazard
The Ouse comes up
1 Nov – 28 Feb · usuallyFlood seasonClosuresKing's Staith and the riverside pubs flood most winters — the pubs have tide marks on the walls and mop out afterwards. The Foss Barrier holds the worst of it back from the centre. Source ↗
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of York — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is York?
York in January — FAQ
- Is January a good time to visit York?
- January in York: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a fair time to visit. It ranks #11 of 12 months for York on SeasonMap's comfort score (53/100).
- What is the weather like in York in January?
- In January, York averages a daily high of 7.2°C and a low of 1°C, with about 52.7 mm of rain over roughly 10.9 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in York in January?
- York has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 29 in January.
- Does it snow in York in January?
- York sees roughly 4.2 cm of snowfall in January.
Other months in York
Compare York in January
Warmer or cooler than York in January
Similar destinations in Northern Europe — January
Within 300 km: Edinburgh's Christmas market around 15 Nov – 4 Jan, and Glasgow's Celtic Connections on 15 Jan – 1 Feb.