Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
White Mountains in January
This is the coldest month in White Mountains: highs average 5°F (-15°C) and lows -11°F (-24°C), with about 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 42/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 5°F (-15°C)
- Avg low
- -11°F (-24°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.6 in (67 mm)
- Humidity
- 96%
- Cloud cover
- 74%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 02 min
- Comfort score
- 42/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Highs only reach about 5°F (-15°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of -11°F (-24°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Only about 9 h 02 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- The drier spell starts: rain or snow falls to 2.6 in (67 mm) after 4.1 in (103 mm) in December.
- Comfort improves from 37/100 in December to 42/100.
- January sits inside the Dec – Mar window our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around -11°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in White Mountains in January
With highs near 5°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Moat Mountain Smoke House & Brewing
Brewpub on the main road into North Conway, serving smoked barbecue with its own beers.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 5°F.
Wildcat Mountain
Ski area in Pinkham Notch with direct views across to Mount Washington and Tuckerman Ravine.
Santa's Village
Christmas-themed park in Jefferson, open since 1953, with reindeer, rides and a holiday season of lights.
Honeymoon Bridge
Red 1876 covered bridge over the Ellis River that serves as the entrance to Jackson village.
Crawford Notch State Park
Steep mountain pass carrying US-302 between granite walls, with frozen waterfalls and snowshoe trails in winter.
Nearby in January
- Vermont in January~66 mi · highs 24°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Portland, Maine in January~67 mi · highs 34°F, 4.1 in rain or snow · 16°C (29°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Stowe in January~70 mi · highs 24°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Woodstock in January~75 mi · highs 28°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 13°C (23°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~488 m to White Mountains's ~1,891 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.
White Mountains in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit White Mountains?
It's middling, scoring 42/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 69. Expect highs of 5°F (-15°C) and 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains route recommends.
How cold is White Mountains in January?
Average highs are 5°F (-15°C) and average lows -11°F (-24°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in White Mountains in January?
Some: about 2.6 in (67 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 47.3 in (1201 mm).
What should I pack for White Mountains in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around -11°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on White Mountains
Routes in season in January
- Stowe, Woodstock & the White Mountains Dec – Mar
Planning White Mountains 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.