Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Catalina Foothills in January
Little changes in Catalina Foothills from December: highs stay near 63°F (17°C), lows near 38°F (3°C), and about 1.1 in (28 mm) of rain falls.
At 95/100 for comfort (5th of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 1.1 in (28 mm)
- Humidity
- 50%
- Cloud cover
- 37%
- Daylight
- ~10 h 06 min
- Comfort score
- 95/100 · Great
What January feels like
Highs near 63°F (17°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 14°C (25°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Rain is scarce: about 1.1 in (28 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around January
January is one of Catalina Foothills's best months on the climate data.
- Comfort holds steady from December (93 → 95/100).
- Our Tucson New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January is part of it.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningslows near 38°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Catalina Foothills in January
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Mount Lemmon
The Catalina Highway climbs from saguaros to pine forest and, after winter storms, snow at the top.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Jan 1 afternoon.
Sabino Canyon
A desert canyon with a year-round creek, cottonwoods and saguaro slopes; an electric shuttle runs up the canyon road.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Jan 1 morning.
Blue Willow
A long-running breakfast and lunch spot on Campbell Avenue with a shaded patio.
Why now January scores 95/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Hacienda del Sol
A 1929 hillside guest ranch whose Grill serves brunch with city views; it hosts a New Year's Eve dinner and dance.
Nearby in January
- Downtown Tucson in January~7 mi · highs 65°F, 0.9 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Papago Park & Camelback in January~101 mi · highs 66°F, 1.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Phoenix in January~106 mi · highs 67°F, 1.3 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Sedona in January~185 mi · highs 51°F, 1.9 in rain · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,178 m to Catalina Foothills's ~831 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Catalina Foothills in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Catalina Foothills?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 95/100. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 1.1 in (28 mm) of rain.
How cold is Catalina Foothills in January?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Catalina Foothills in January?
Not much: about 1.1 in (28 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 12.0 in (305 mm).
What should I pack for Catalina Foothills in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 38°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Catalina Foothills
Routes in season in January
- Tucson New Year's Eve Dec 30 – Jan 1
Planning Catalina Foothills 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.