Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Austin in January
This is the coldest month in Austin: highs average 60°F (16°C) and lows 38°F (3°C), with about 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain.
It scores 83/100 for comfort, 7th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 60°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 2.3 in (58 mm)
- Humidity
- 72%
- Cloud cover
- 53%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 15 min
- Comfort score
- 83/100 · Great
What January feels like
Highs near 60°F (16°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 38°F (3°C), about 12°C (22°F) below the afternoon high.
About 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's January.
Plan around January
January is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (February – April and October – December).
- Comfort slips from 87/100 in December to 83/100.
- January sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Texas BBQ Trail route recommends.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 38°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Austin in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
The Continental Club
South Congress music bar since 1955 with live country, rockabilly and blues.
Texas State Capitol
Pink-granite capitol, taller than the US Capitol, with free guided tours.
Franklin Barbecue
Austin's most famous brisket, worth the morning line.
South Congress Avenue
Shopping strip with boots, vintage and the 'I love you so much' mural.
Broken Spoke
Classic honky-tonk dance hall with two-step lessons and chicken-fried steak.
Nearby in January
- Texas Hill Country in January~55 mi · highs 59°F, 1.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- San Antonio in January~74 mi · highs 63°F, 1.9 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Downtown Houston in January~146 mi · highs 61°F, 3.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Dallas in January~182 mi · highs 55°F, 2.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Austin & Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park & Barton Springs.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Austin in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Austin?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 83/100 against a best of 92 in February – April and October – December. Expect highs of 60°F (16°C) and 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain. January is inside the Oct – Apr window our Texas BBQ Trail route recommends.
How cold is Austin in January?
Average highs are 60°F (16°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Austin in January?
Not much: about 2.3 in (58 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 33.1 in (841 mm).
What should I pack for Austin in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 38°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in January
- Texas BBQ Trail Oct – Apr
Planning Austin in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.