North Rhine-Westphalia weather in January
January is one of the least pleasant months in North Rhine-Westphalia: highs of 4°C (40°F) and about 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain on average. Nights average -1°C (30°F) and cloud cover 79% (NASA POWER, 2001–2025 averages). It is the 4th wettest month of the year and the coolest. Compared with December, it is cooler and about as wet; February brings highs of 6°C (42°F) and 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain.
Figures are long-term averages for Köln, the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia. See below for other places.
Is January a good time to visit North Rhine-Westphalia?
least pleasant month Weather score 32/100.
January is one of the least pleasant months for weather in North Rhine-Westphalia. For better conditions, consider Apr–Sep.
Does it rain a lot in North Rhine-Westphalia in January?
Some rain is normal: about 74 mm (2.9 in) falls in an average January. It is the 4th wettest month of the year.
How warm is North Rhine-Westphalia in January?
Days average 4°C (40°F) and nights -1°C (30°F).
North Rhine-Westphalia weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Cloud | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 74 mm | 79% | least pleasant |
| February | 6°C (42°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 62 mm | 76% | least pleasant |
| March | 10°C (49°F) | 1°C (33°F) | 59 mm | 70% | least pleasant |
| April | 15°C (59°F) | 4°C (40°F) | 44 mm | 66% | best |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 8°C (47°F) | 64 mm | 71% | best |
| June | 23°C (73°F) | 12°C (53°F) | 68 mm | 71% | best |
| July | 25°C (76°F) | 14°C (57°F) | 75 mm | 68% | best |
| August | 24°C (76°F) | 14°C (56°F) | 79 mm | 67% | best |
| September | 20°C (69°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 57 mm | 64% | best |
| October | 15°C (59°F) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm | 71% | fair |
| November | 9°C (48°F) | 3°C (37°F) | 71 mm | 79% | least pleasant |
| December | 5°C (41°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 77 mm | 81% | least pleasant |
Sources: 2001–2025 monthly averages from NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis). Page updated . How we rate months
Weather across North Rhine-Westphalia in January
Weather can differ a lot within North Rhine-Westphalia: coasts, hills and mountains each have their own climate.
| Place | High | Low | Rain | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Köln | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 74 mm | least pleasant |
| Düsseldorf | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 74 mm | least pleasant |
| Essen | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 84 mm | least pleasant |
| Dortmund | 4°C (38°F) | -2°C (29°F) | 91 mm | least pleasant |
| Duisburg | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 84 mm | least pleasant |
| Bochum | 4°C (38°F) | -2°C (29°F) | 91 mm | least pleasant |
| Wuppertal | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 84 mm | least pleasant |
| Bielefeld | 3°C (38°F) | -2°C (28°F) | 80 mm | least pleasant |
| Bonn | 3°C (37°F) | -2°C (28°F) | 63 mm | least pleasant |
| Münster | 4°C (39°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 76 mm | least pleasant |
| Gelsenkirchen | 4°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 84 mm | least pleasant |
| Aachen | 5°C (40°F) | -1°C (30°F) | 66 mm | least pleasant |