Toronto in January: a seasonal travel plan
Toronto, Canada. In january, the average daytime high is 0.3 °C and the night-time low is -4.3 °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: Toronto
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- 0.3 °C
- Nighttime low
- -4.3 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 56.0 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 14.9
- Daylight
- 9.3 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 | 0.9 | -3.5 | 4.9 |
| Days 11–20 | 0.0 | -4.9 | 4.8 |
| From day 21 | -0.1 | -4.6 | 5.2 |
What this month is like
Toronto, Canada. In january, the average daytime high is 0.3 °C and the night-time low is -4.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 14.9 wet days on average, with about 56.0 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 9.3 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. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 3.5 °C, January — 0.3 °C, next month — 0.6 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 16.0, 14.9 and 11.4.
Things to do
Toronto runs along Lake Ontario: the CN Tower and the office towers stand by the water, while districts such as Kensington Market and the Distillery keep a character of their own. Subway and streetcars link them without a car, and the islands offer a break from the streets.
CN Tower and the waterfront
The CN Tower deck is visible from anywhere downtown, and below it Harbourfront runs past parks and ferry docks. Boats leave from here for the islands, so the day continues easily by the water.
St. Lawrence Market
The market fills an old stone hall near Front Street: butchers, cheesemongers, bakeries and the peameal bacon sandwich. On Saturdays a farmers' market adds stalls under the north canopy.
Toronto Islands
There are no cars on the islands: cycle paths, beaches and the skyline seen from the water. Summer brings swimmers and picnics, and the last ferries run well into the evening.
Where to stay
Downtown
The financial core works for short trips: Union Station and the subway are close, and the PATH walkways run underground. Streets are busy and tower apartments costly, but everything is near.
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is a district of market stalls, vintage shops and street food beside Chinatown. Houses are old and evenings lively, with the centre twenty minutes away on foot.
Distillery District
The Distillery District occupies an old distillery site of brick warehouses, galleries and a small stage. It looks good and stays quiet, though few shops open late and the subway is a walk away.
Getting to and around Toronto
The UP Express runs from Pearson Airport to Union Station in about twenty-five minutes. The TTC subway and streetcars cover the city, and the Queen streetcar is handy for moving between districts. Ferries leave the waterfront for the islands, and much of downtown connects underground through the PATH network, which keeps you out of the weather.
Three days in Toronto
Downtown and the tower
CN Tower and Harbourfront in the morning, then lunch at St. Lawrence Market. In the afternoon see Nathan Phillips Square and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
The islands
Take the morning ferry to the Toronto Islands for a bike, a beach and the skyline from the water. Come back for lunch and spend the afternoon and evening in the Distillery District.
Museums and markets
Start at the Royal Ontario Museum, then walk through Queen's Park. Kensington Market and Chinatown fill the afternoon, and Queen West takes the evening.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0.3 | -4.3 | 56.0 | 14.9 | 9.3 |
| February | 0.6 | -4.9 | 44.8 | 11.4 | 10.5 |
| March | 4.2 | -1.5 | 46.6 | 11.7 | 11.9 |
| April | 8.9 | 2.6 | 67.5 | 14.4 | 13.4 |
| May | 15.8 | 8.4 | 54.0 | 12.8 | 14.7 |
| June | 21.6 | 14.7 | 68.1 | 16.3 | 15.4 |
| July | 25.8 | 19.4 | 63.9 | 15.4 | 15.1 |
| August | 25.5 | 19.7 | 57.1 | 14.5 | 14.0 |
| September | 22.6 | 17.0 | 52.7 | 12.8 | 12.5 |
| October | 15.6 | 10.5 | 62.7 | 16.4 | 11.1 |
| November | 8.5 | 3.7 | 53.5 | 14.2 | 9.7 |
| December | 3.5 | -0.3 | 56.8 | 16.0 | 9.0 |
Frequently asked questions
Toronto: what is the temperature in January?
The average daytime high is 0.3 °C and the night-time low is -4.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and indoor activities for mornings and evenings.
How many days with precipitation are there in January?
On average, there are 14.9 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 56.0 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in January?
A warm coat, closed shoes, a scarf and several clothing layers will be useful. Average night-time temperatures fall below freezing, so add warm clothes for early outings. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 0.9 °C; 11–20 — 0.0 °C; 21 to month-end — -0.1 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in January?
The average is 9.3 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Toronto worth visiting in January?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around 0.3 °C and nights around -4.3 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Toronto on a wet day in January?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Toronto in January?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 9.3 hours.