Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Door County in January
This is the coldest month in Door County: highs average 26°F (-3°C) and lows 15°F (-9°C), with about 1.4 in (36 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 46/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Avg low
- 15°F (-9°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.4 in (36 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 72%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 57 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 26°F (-3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 15°F (-9°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.4 in (36 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 8 h 57 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Comfort improves from 43/100 in December to 46/100.
- Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 15°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 Door County in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Pelletier's Restaurant & Fish Boil
Traditional Door County fish boil with the flame-up finale, followed by cherry pie.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 26°F.
Door Peninsula Winery
Winery in an old schoolhouse pouring cherry and fruit wines.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
Swedish pancakes with lingonberries under goats grazing on the sod roof.
Why now A cozy break on a 26°F day.
Cana Island Lighthouse
1869 lighthouse on an island reached by wading or a hay wagon across the causeway.
Cave Point County Park
Lake Michigan waves crash into undercut limestone ledges.
Nearby in January
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in January~58 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Traverse City in January~79 mi · highs 29°F, 2.0 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Mackinac Island in January~138 mi · highs 25°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Milwaukee in January~140 mi · highs 28°F, 1.6 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°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.
Door County in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Door County?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 46/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 26°F (-3°C) and 1.4 in (36 mm) of rain or snow. Our Chicago & Great Lakes route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Door County in January?
Average highs are 26°F (-3°C) and average lows 15°F (-9°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Door County in January?
Not much: about 1.4 in (36 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 33.7 in (855 mm).
What should I pack for Door County in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 15°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 Door County
Planning Door County in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.