Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Grand Marais in January
This is the coldest month in Grand Marais: highs average 19°F (-7°C) and lows 3°F (-16°C), with about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 47/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Avg low
- 3°F (-16°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (27 mm)
- Humidity
- 98%
- Cloud cover
- 69%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 47/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 19°F (-7°C).
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 3°F (-16°C), so expect frost and ice.
Precipitation is light, about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 37 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – September.
- Comfort holds steady from December (45 → 47/100).
- Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 3°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 Grand Marais in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Sven & Ole's
Long-running pizza joint with the Pickle Herring pub attached.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 19°F.
Voyageur Brewing Company
Downtown brewery with a rooftop deck overlooking the harbor.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
World's Best Donuts
Seasonal donut shop near the harbor since 1969.
Why now A cozy break on a 19°F day.
North House Folk School
Harborfront school for traditional crafts, with short classes and sails on the schooner Hjordis.
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Trail to the Devil's Kettle, where half the Brule River seems to vanish into a pothole.
Nearby in January
- Duluth in January~106 mi · highs 20°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Minneapolis in January~237 mi · highs 22°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Door County in January~242 mi · highs 26°F, 1.4 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in January~290 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 6°C (12°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~468 m to Grand Marais's ~186 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.
Grand Marais in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Grand Marais?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 47/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – September. Expect highs of 19°F (-7°C) and 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain or snow. Our Minnesota North Shore route recommends Jun – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Grand Marais in January?
Average highs are 19°F (-7°C) and average lows 3°F (-16°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Grand Marais in January?
Not much: about 1.1 in (27 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 28.5 in (723 mm).
What should I pack for Grand Marais in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 3°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 Grand Marais
Planning Grand Marais 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.