Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Portland in January
Little changes in Portland from December: highs stay near 47°F (8°C), lows near 36°F (2°C), and about 8.5 in (216 mm) of rain falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 33/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 47°F (8°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 8.5 in (216 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 33/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Afternoons only reach about 47°F (8°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 36°F (2°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 8.5 in (216 mm) across the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 79%.
Only about 8 h 53 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are June – September.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort improves from 26/100 in December to 33/100.
- Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes8.5 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Portland in January
With 8.5 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Multnomah Whiskey Library
Leather-and-wood whiskey bar with 1,500+ bottles and a rolling cart service.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 8.5 in of rain.
Powell's City of Books
A full city block of new and used books across color-coded rooms.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 8.5 in of rain.
Pine State Biscuits
Southern biscuit sandwiches; the Reggie Deluxe with fried chicken and gravy is the classic.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Screen Door
Southern comfort food; known for fried chicken and waffles.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter January days.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Walled Ming-style garden with a teahouse in Old Town Chinatown.
Nearby in January
- Cannon Beach in January~67 mi · highs 47°F, 10.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Astoria in January~72 mi · highs 47°F, 10.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Yachats in January~109 mi · highs 50°F, 8.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Snoqualmie Pass in January~145 mi · highs 34°F, 10.2 in rain or snow · 7°C (13°F) cooler by day, wetter
These averages also cover Downtown Portland and Northwest Portland.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~257 m to Portland's ~21 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.
Portland in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Portland?
It's middling, scoring 33/100. The best months are June – September, at up to 94. Expect highs of 47°F (8°C) and 8.5 in (216 mm) of rain. Our Pacific Northwest route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Portland in January?
Average highs are 47°F (8°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Portland in January?
Yes: about 8.5 in (216 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 58.4 in (1484 mm).
What should I pack for Portland in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (8.5 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Portland
Planning Portland in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.