Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Taos in January
Little changes in Taos from December: highs stay near 41°F (5°C), lows near 19°F (-7°C), and about 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 54/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.0 in (25 mm)
- Humidity
- 67%
- Cloud cover
- 49%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 54/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 41°F (5°C).
Average lows of 19°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 1.0 in (25 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 – June and August – October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (53 → 54/100).
- Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Taos in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Millicent Rogers Museum
Native American and Hispanic art collection in a hacienda-style house.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Adobe Bar at the Taos Inn
'Living room of Taos' with margaritas and live music most nights.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Michael's Kitchen
Diner and bakery known for big New Mexican breakfasts.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
San Francisco de Asís Mission Church
Adobe church with massive buttresses painted by O'Keeffe and photographed by Ansel Adams.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Orlando's New Mexican Cafe
Popular local New Mexican spot north of town with a fire-pit patio.
Nearby in January
- Abiquiú in January~44 mi · highs 44°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Santa Fe in January~54 mi · highs 41°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Albuquerque in January~110 mi · highs 49°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Aspen in January~204 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~2,463 m to Taos's ~2,124 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.
Taos in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Taos?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 54/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April – June and August – October. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow. Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Taos in January?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Taos in January?
Not much: about 1.0 in (25 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 16.8 in (427 mm).
What should I pack for Taos in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Taos 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.