Climateby Month

Mammoth Lakes, CA weather in January

NOAA 1991-2020 normals and daily records · Mammoth Lakes all year

In January, Mammoth Lakes sees highs around 41°F and lows around 17°F: cold and snowy. Expect about 8 wet days. Snowfall averages about 19.0 in. It is one of the coldest months in Mammoth Lakes. Pack for snow.

Normal high
41°F
Normal low
17°F
Wet days
8
4.2 in total
Snowfall
19.0 in
snow on the ground 19 days

How January changes from start to finish

Normal values at the start and end of January
January 1January 31
Normal high41°F41°F
Normal low17°F17°F
Sunrise / sunset7:11 am / 4:47 pm7:00 am / 5:18 pm
Daylight9.6 h10.3 h

Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Pacific Time).

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 snow8 of 31
  • Notable rainat least 0.10 in6 of 31
  • Freezing nightslow 32°F or below30 of 31
  • Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more19 of 31

Average days per January, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.

Rain and snow in January

Normal precipitation is 4.2 in. About 3 days bring half an inch or more, and about 1 an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 19.0 in, with about 4 days of an inch or more.

How January varies from year to year

  • Warmest January, 1991-20202015: average high 51°F
  • Coolest January2008: average high 34°F
  • Highest reading61°F (January 26, 2015)
  • Lowest reading-16°F (January 13, 2007)

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

DecemberJanuaryFebruary
Normal high41°F41°F41°F
Normal low17°F17°F18°F
Wet days889
Comfortable days000
Daylight9.6 h9.9 h10.8 h

Highs change by 0°F from December and 0°F into February.

Nearby alternatives in January

How Mammoth Lakes ranks in January

  • Normal high243rd warmest of 378 cities; 60th of 60 in California
  • Wet days145th driest of 378

What to pack for Mammoth Lakes in January

  • A warm jacket – lows near 17°F, highs near 41°F
  • A rain jacket or umbrella – rain or snow on about 8 days
  • Waterproof boots – snow on the ground on about 19 days
  • A hat and gloves – about 30 freezing nights

Heating and cooling

January has 1119 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 14% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.

Questions

How cold is Mammoth Lakes in January?

The normal high is 41°F and the normal low is 17°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest January reading was -16°F (January 13, 2007).

Does it rain a lot in Mammoth Lakes in January?

About 8 days in January have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 4.2 in.

Does it snow in Mammoth Lakes in January?

Yes. Normal snowfall in January is 19.0 in, and snow covers the ground on about 19 days.

Is January a good time to visit Mammoth Lakes?

January ranks 11th of 12 months on our comfort score for Mammoth Lakes (33 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days (judged by temperature only). The best months are June, August and September.

Where the numbers come from

  • Temperature, rain and frost dates: Mammoth Lakes RS (USC00045280), 0.6 mi E of the city center, 7,804 ft (69 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Snowfall and snow depth: Lee Vining (USC00044881), 23 mi NNW of the city center, 6,797 ft (1,076 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Not available for this location: humidity and wind by hour, cloud cover and daily humidity and wind (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).