Flagstaff, AZ weather in January
In January, Flagstaff sees highs around 43°F and lows around 18°F: chilly and snowy. Expect about 7 wet days. Snowfall averages about 20.9 in. It is one of the coldest months in Flagstaff. Pack for snow.
- Normal high
- 43°F
- Normal low
- 18°F
- Wet days
- 7
- 2.0 in total
- Snowfall
- 20.9 in
- snow on the ground 20 days
How January changes from start to finish
| January 1 | January 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 42°F | 44°F |
| Normal low | 17°F | 18°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 23% | 23% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 7:35 am / 5:25 pm | 7:26 am / 5:53 pm |
| Daylight | 9.8 h | 10.4 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Arizona time (no daylight saving)).
A typical January day
- 6 am20°Fdew point 14°F
- 9 am26°Fdew point 17°F
- Noon41°Fdew point 19°F
- 3 pm43°Fdew point 19°F
- 6 pm34°Fdew point 19°F
- 9 pm26°Fdew point 17°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Grand Canyon NP Airport (59 mi away); average wind 6 mph.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F (temperature only: no humidity station nearby)0 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow7 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in4 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below31 of 31
- Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more20 of 31
Average days per January, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.
Rain and snow in January
Normal precipitation is 2.0 in; a dry January brings about 0.4 in and a wet one about 2.6 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 1 day brings half an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 20.9 in, with about 5 days of an inch or more.
How January varies from year to year
- Warmest January, 1991-20202003: average high 51°F
- Coolest January2008: average high 37°F
- Wettest January1993: 9.6 in
- Driest January2002: 0.02 in
- Highest reading63°F (January 31, 2018)
- Lowest reading-19°F (January 1, 2011)
From the station's daily records with NOAA quality flags removed; most recent date shown when a reading repeats.
January compared with December and February
| December | January | February | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 43°F | 43°F | 46°F |
| Normal low | 17°F | 18°F | 20°F |
| Wet days | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Comfortable days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daylight | 9.8 h | 10.1 h | 10.9 h |
Highs change by 0°F from December and +3°F into February.
Nearby alternatives in January
- Warmer: Sedona, AZ24 mi · high 58°F · 6 wet days
- Drier: Peoria, AZ117 mi · high 65°F · 4 wet days
- Cooler: Bryce Canyon City, UT173 mi · high 37°F · 6 wet days
How Flagstaff ranks in January
- Normal high231st warmest of 378 cities; 13th of 13 in Arizona
- Wet days102nd driest of 378
What to pack for Flagstaff in January
- A warm jacket – lows near 18°F, highs near 43°F
- Layers – afternoons near 43°F but nights near 18°F
- Waterproof boots – snow on the ground on about 20 days
- A hat and gloves – about 31 freezing nights
Heating and cooling
January has 1070 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 16% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Flagstaff in January?
The normal high is 43°F and the normal low is 18°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest January reading was -19°F (January 1, 2011).
Does it rain a lot in Flagstaff in January?
About 7 days in January have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 2.1 in. The wettest January in 1991-2020 was in 1993 (9.6 in); the driest was in 2002 (0.02 in).
Does it snow in Flagstaff in January?
Yes. Normal snowfall in January is 20.9 in, and snow covers the ground on about 20 days.
Is January a good time to visit Flagstaff?
January ranks 11th of 12 months on our comfort score for Flagstaff (36 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days (judged by temperature only). The best months are May and September.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, rain, snowfall and frost dates: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (USW00003103), 3.8 mi SSW of the city center, 7,003 ft (103 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Snow depth: Sunset Crater Nm (USC00028329), 13 mi NNE of the city center, 6,980 ft (80 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Humidity and wind by hour: Grand Canyon NP Airport (USW00003195), 59 mi NNW of the city center, 6,606 ft (294 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Not available for this location: cloud cover and daily humidity and wind (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).