Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Omaha in January
This is the coldest month in Omaha: highs average 31°F (-1°C) and lows 14°F (-10°C), with about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 49/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 31°F (-1°C)
- Avg low
- 14°F (-10°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.7 in (19 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 63%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 20 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 31°F (-1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 14°F (-10°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Daylight is short, roughly 9 h 20 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are September & October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (49 → 49/100).
- 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 14°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Omaha in January
With highs near 31°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Block 16
Downtown counter-service spot with creative burgers and daily specials.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 31°F.
Upstream Brewing Company
Old Market brewpub in a 1903 firehouse, brewing since 1996.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
The Durham Museum
History museum inside Omaha's Art Deco Union Station, with a working soda fountain.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 31°F.
Joslyn Art Museum
Free art museum in an Art Deco building with a recent glass-pavilion expansion.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
The Drover
Old-school steakhouse famous for whiskey-marinated steaks.
Why now A cozy break on a 31°F day.
Nearby in January
- Des Moines in January~122 mi · highs 31°F, 0.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Lawrence in January~162 mi · highs 37°F, 1.1 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Kansas City in January~165 mi · highs 37°F, 1.3 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Decorah in January~255 mi · highs 25°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 3°C (6°F) cooler by day, about as wet
These averages also cover Downtown Omaha & the Old Market and Midtown Omaha.
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.
Omaha in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Omaha?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 49/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are September & October. Expect highs of 31°F (-1°C) and 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow. Our Kansas City to Omaha route recommends Apr – Oct, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Omaha in January?
Average highs are 31°F (-1°C) and average lows 14°F (-10°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Omaha in January?
Not much: about 0.7 in (19 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 32.0 in (814 mm).
What should I pack for Omaha in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 14°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Omaha in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.