Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Chena Hot Springs in January
This is the coldest month in Chena Hot Springs: highs average 4°F (-16°C) and lows -7°F (-21°C), with about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 53/100, 7th of 12.
- Avg high
- 4°F (-16°C)
- Avg low
- -7°F (-21°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (29 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 52%
- Daylight
- ~4 h 26 min
- Comfort score
- 53/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 4°F (-16°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of -7°F (-21°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 4 h 26 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are June & July.
- Comfort holds steady from December (51 → 53/100).
- January sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around -7°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Chena Hot Springs in January
With highs near 4°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Aurora Ice Museum
Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 4°F.
Angel Rocks Trail
Loop trail off Chena Hot Springs Road climbing to granite tors above the North Fork of the Chena River.
Chena River State Recreation Area
Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins.
Rock Lake hot spring
The resort's outdoor, rock-lined hot spring pool, fed by natural springs and steaming in air far below zero.
Nearby in January
- Fairbanks in January~51 mi · highs 4°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Talkeetna in January~226 mi · highs 19°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 9°C (16°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Anchorage in January~291 mi · highs 24°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · 11°C (20°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~590 m to Chena Hot Springs's ~354 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.
Chena Hot Springs in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Chena Hot Springs?
It's middling, scoring 53/100. The best months are June & July, at up to 80. Expect highs of 4°F (-16°C) and 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route recommends.
How cold is Chena Hot Springs in January?
Average highs are 4°F (-16°C) and average lows -7°F (-21°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Chena Hot Springs in January?
Not much: about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 27.0 in (687 mm).
What should I pack for Chena Hot Springs in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -7°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Chena Hot Springs
Routes in season in January
- Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage Dec – Mar
Planning Chena Hot Springs in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.