Calgary in January: a seasonal travel plan
Calgary, Canada. In january, the average daytime high is -2.7 °C and the night-time low is -11.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: January
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Calgary
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- -2.7 °C
- Nighttime low
- -11.3 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 15.6 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 5.2
- Daylight
- 8.5 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | -4.7 | -13.6 | 2.4 |
| Days 11–20 | -3.7 | -12.2 | 1.4 |
| From day 21 | 0.1 | -8.3 | 1.4 |
What this month is like
Calgary, Canada. In january, the average daytime high is -2.7 °C and the night-time low is -11.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 5.2 wet days on average, with about 15.6 mm of precipitation. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 8.5 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — -3.4 °C, January — -2.7 °C, next month — -2.5 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 7.7, 5.2 and 7.9.
Things to do
Calgary grew on the plateau above the Bow River, and its centre is easy to cross: office towers, Stephen Avenue and a riverside park on Prince's Island. The Rockies begin to the west, so the week splits between downtown days and trips to Banff or Drumheller.
Downtown and the river
Stephen Avenue cuts through the office district, and the Bow River pathway leads to Prince's Island and the park. Ride up the Calgary Tower for the view and cross the bridge to the north bank.
Kensington and Inglewood
Kensington north of the river lives on cafés and small shops, Inglewood to the east is the oldest district, with stores and music. Walk from one to the other over the bridge and eat lunch in Inglewood.
Banff for a day
Banff sits in the mountains a little over an hour away: a lake, waterfalls and trails below the peaks. Leave early enough to walk a trail and drive back before dark.
Where to stay
Downtown and Beltline
Downtown and the Beltline keep offices, restaurants and the river close, and 17 Avenue lives on bars and patios. Evenings are busy, and a car is hardly needed.
Kensington
Kensington feels like a village: low houses, cafés, bakeries and a bookshop. The centre is ten minutes by CTrain or half an hour on foot along the river.
Inglewood
Inglewood is the oldest district in the city: brick houses, independent shops and breweries. It is calm and green, with the centre reached by bus or bicycle.
Getting to and around Calgary
Calgary airport lies about seventeen kilometres north-east of downtown; bus 300 runs to the centre and a taxi suits luggage. The CTrain light rail has a free fare zone downtown, buses fill in the rest of the network, and riverside paths carry cyclists. Downtown parking is paid on weekdays, while walking between blocks takes ten or fifteen minutes.
Three days in Calgary
Downtown and the river
Start on Stephen Avenue, ride up the Calgary Tower and cross to Prince's Island. Walk the Bow pathway after lunch and take dinner on 17 Avenue.
Kensington and Inglewood
Morning among the cafés and shops of Kensington, then across the river to Inglewood. Lunch at a brewery, music in the evening and the CTrain home from Zoo station.
Banff
Drive west early, walk a trail by Lake Minnewanka, then take in Bow Falls and the town of Banff. Return to Calgary in the evening.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2.7 | -11.3 | 15.6 | 5.2 | 8.5 |
| February | -2.5 | -12.6 | 29.0 | 7.9 | 10.0 |
| March | 3.6 | -7.6 | 28.2 | 7.8 | 11.9 |
| April | 9.1 | -3.1 | 43.2 | 9.8 | 13.8 |
| May | 15.8 | 2.7 | 78.4 | 14.5 | 15.5 |
| June | 19.8 | 7.2 | 101.7 | 15.2 | 16.5 |
| July | 23.7 | 10.3 | 62.2 | 11.0 | 16.1 |
| August | 23.2 | 9.7 | 61.6 | 10.0 | 14.6 |
| September | 17.7 | 5.1 | 43.0 | 8.5 | 12.7 |
| October | 10.4 | -1.0 | 31.2 | 6.9 | 10.7 |
| November | 2.1 | -6.4 | 29.9 | 7.8 | 9.0 |
| December | -3.4 | -11.3 | 29.1 | 7.7 | 8.0 |
Frequently asked questions
Calgary: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is -2.7 °C and the night-time low is -11.3 °C. Outdoor conditions are frosty. Keep walks short and alternate them with indoor stops.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 5.2 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 15.6 mm. There are relatively few days with precipitation. Build your plans around walks and keep an indoor activity for a wet-weather day.
What should I pack for walks in January?
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — -4.7 °C; 11–20 — -3.7 °C; 21 to month-end — 0.1 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 8.5 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Calgary worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around -2.7 °C and nights around -11.3 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Calgary on a wet day in January?
There are relatively few wet days, so build the plan around walks and keep one indoor option. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Calgary in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.5 hours.