Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Oslo in January
This is the coldest month in Oslo: highs average 29°F (-2°C) and lows 20°F (-7°C), with about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 38/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Avg low
- 20°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.1 in (78 mm)
- Humidity
- 98%
- Cloud cover
- 83%
- Daylight
- ~6 h 22 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What January feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 29°F (-2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 20°F (-7°C), so expect frost and ice.
Expect about 3.1 in (78 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because the average temperature is below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 83%.
Only about 6 h 22 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – August.
- Comfort holds steady from December (38 → 38/100).
- Our Scandinavian Capitals route recommends Jun – Aug, 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
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.1 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Oslo in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Tim Wendelboe
Tiny roastery-café run by a world barista champion.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 29°F.
Mathallen Oslo
Food hall in a former factory by the Akerselva river.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Fram Museum
The polar ship Fram, which you can board, plus polar exploration exhibits.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 29°F.
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Open-air museum with 160 old buildings, including a 13th-century stave church.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
Ski jump with a top-of-tower view and a ski history museum.
Nearby in January
- Flåm in January~140 mi · highs 34°F, 7.2 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Bergen in January~190 mi · highs 35°F, 11.8 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Geiranger in January~192 mi · highs 33°F, 9.6 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Stockholm in January~259 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~259 m to Oslo's ~22 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.
Oslo in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Oslo?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 38/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – August. Expect highs of 29°F (-2°C) and 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain or snow. Our Scandinavian Capitals route recommends Jun – Aug, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Oslo in January?
Average highs are 29°F (-2°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 Oslo in January?
Some: about 3.1 in (78 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 41.3 in (1049 mm).
What should I pack for Oslo in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 20°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.1 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Oslo 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.