Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Decorah in January
This is the coldest month in Decorah: highs average 25°F (-4°C) and lows 8°F (-13°C), with about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 48/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 25°F (-4°C)
- Avg low
- 8°F (-13°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.0 in (26 mm)
- Humidity
- 89%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 08 min
- Comfort score
- 48/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 25°F (-4°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 8°F (-13°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Only about 9 h 08 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are August & September.
- Comfort holds steady from December (46 → 48/100).
- Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 8°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Decorah in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Oneota Community Food Co-op
Local grocery with a deli for sandwiches and picnic supplies.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 25°F.
Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum
Large Norwegian-American heritage museum with folk art and historic buildings.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 25°F.
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
Taproom of the brewery behind Pseudo Sue and other hoppy cult beers.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Trout Run Trail
11-mile paved bike loop past a trout hatchery, bluffs and farmland.
Mabe's Pizza
Family pizza place on Water Street since 1953.
Nearby in January
- Dubuque in January~79 mi · highs 28°F, 1.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Minneapolis in January~137 mi · highs 22°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Des Moines in January~151 mi · highs 31°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Milwaukee in January~196 mi · highs 28°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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.
Decorah in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Decorah?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 48/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are August & September. Expect highs of 25°F (-4°C) and 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain or snow. Our Iowa Driftless & River Towns route recommends May – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Decorah in January?
Average highs are 25°F (-4°C) and average lows 8°F (-13°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Decorah in January?
Not much: about 1.0 in (26 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 37.0 in (939 mm).
What should I pack for Decorah in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 8°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Decorah
Planning Decorah in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.