Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Lawrence in January
This is the coldest month in Lawrence: highs average 37°F (3°C) and lows 20°F (-7°C), with about 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 51/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 20°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.1 in (29 mm)
- Humidity
- 79%
- Cloud cover
- 56%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 33 min
- Comfort score
- 51/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 37°F (3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 20°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
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.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (52 → 51/100).
- Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 20°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 Lawrence in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Jayhawk Cafe
'The Hawk,' a campus bar since 1919 with a warren of rooms.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
KU Natural History Museum
Home to a famous 1890s panorama of North American wildlife and fossils.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Free State Brewing Company
Kansas's first legal brewery since Prohibition, opened in 1989 on Mass Street.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Spencer Museum of Art
Free university museum with a wide collection from Asian art to American painting.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Liberty Hall
Historic downtown venue showing indie films and hosting concerts.
Nearby in January
- Kansas City in January~36 mi · highs 37°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Springfield in January~161 mi · highs 41°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Omaha in January~162 mi · highs 31°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Branson in January~195 mi · highs 44°F, 2.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
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.
Lawrence in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Lawrence?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 51/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 1.1 in (29 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Lawrence in January?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 20°F (-7°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Lawrence in January?
Not much: about 1.1 in (29 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 39.3 in (998 mm).
What should I pack for Lawrence in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 20°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).
Planning Lawrence in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.