Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Nashville in January
This is the coldest month in Nashville: highs average 46°F (8°C) and lows 28°F (-2°C), with about 4.0 in (102 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 50/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 46°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain
- 4.0 in (102 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 65%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 48 min
- Comfort score
- 50/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cool, with highs near 46°F (8°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Average lows of 28°F (-2°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Some rain is likely, about 4.0 in (102 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April and September & October.
- Comfort slips from 53/100 in December to 50/100.
- Our Nashville & Franklin route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January falls outside it.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 46°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.0 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Nashville in January
A mixed month: these picks balance outdoor stops with indoor fallbacks.
Cheekwood Holiday LIGHTS
Cheekwood's botanical garden and 1930s mansion lit with about a million lights on a mile-long winter walk.
Lower Broadway
Strip of neon-lit honky-tonks with live bands playing from late morning until late at night, no cover at most bars.
Belmont Mansion
1850s Italianate villa on the Belmont University campus, decorated in period style for the Christmas season.
Robert's Western World
Classic Broadway honky-tonk with traditional country bands, cold beer and a fried bologna sandwich.
Loveless Cafe
Roadside cafe at the start of the Natchez Trace, serving biscuits, country ham and fried chicken since 1951.
Nearby in January
- Franklin in January~17 mi · highs 45°F, 4.0 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Bardstown in January~135 mi · highs 40°F, 3.4 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Louisville in January~155 mi · highs 39°F, 3.3 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Knoxville in January~160 mi · highs 47°F, 4.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Nashville, East Nashville, Lower Broadway and The Gulch.
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.
Nashville in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Nashville?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 50/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April and September & October. Expect highs of 46°F (8°C) and 4.0 in (102 mm) of rain.
How cold is Nashville in January?
Average highs are 46°F (8°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Nashville in January?
Some: about 4.0 in (102 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.1 in (1350 mm).
What should I pack for Nashville in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 46°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.0 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Nashville
Planning Nashville in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.