Nantucket, MA weather in January
Nantucket is cold in January, with frequent rain and some snow: highs average 40°F and nights drop to about 27°F. Rain or snow falls on about 12 days. Snowfall averages about 8.8 in. This is the depth of winter in Nantucket.
- Normal high
- 40°F
- Normal low
- 27°F
- Wet days
- 12
- 3.2 in total
- Snowfall
- 8.8 in
- snow on the ground 6 days
How January changes from start to finish
| January 1 | January 31 | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal high | 42°F | 39°F |
| Normal low | 29°F | 26°F |
| Chance of a wet day | 38% | 36% |
| Sunrise / sunset | 7:06 am / 4:21 pm | 6:52 am / 4:55 pm |
| Daylight | 9.3 h | 10.0 h |
Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Eastern Time).
A typical January day
- 6 am26°Fdew point 20°F
- 9 am29°Fdew point 21°F
- Noon34°Fdew point 21°F
- 3 pm35°Fdew point 21°F
- 6 pm31°Fdew point 21°F
- 9 pm29°Fdew point 21°F
NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Plymouth Muni Airport (54 mi away); average wind 9 mph.
What kind of days to expect
- Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F (temperature only: no humidity station nearby)0 of 31
- Beach dayshigh 80-95°F, under 0.05 in of rain (temperature and rain only)0 of 31
- Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 31
- Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow12 of 31
- Notable rainat least 0.10 in7 of 31
- Freezing nightslow 32°F or below22 of 31
- Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more6 of 31
Average days per January, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.
Rain and snow in January
Normal precipitation is 3.2 in; a dry January brings about 2.5 in and a wet one about 4.0 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 2 days bring half an inch or more, and about 1 an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 8.8 in, with about 2 days of an inch or more.
How January varies from year to year
- Warmest January, 1991-20202006: average high 45°F
- Coolest January2004: average high 30°F
- Wettest January2016: 5.3 in
- Driest January2003: 1.5 in
- Highest reading60°F (January 4, 1998)
- Lowest reading-3°F (January 16, 2004)
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 | 45°F | 40°F | 40°F |
| Normal low | 32°F | 27°F | 27°F |
| Wet days | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Comfortable days | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daylight | 9.3 h | 9.6 h | 10.6 h |
Highs change by -5°F from December and 0°F into February.
Nearby alternatives in January
- Cooler: Worcester, MA111 mi · high 32°F · 12 wet days
How Nantucket ranks in January
- Normal high262nd warmest of 378 cities; 2nd of 9 in Massachusetts
- Wet days301st driest of 378
What to pack for Nantucket in January
- A warm jacket – lows near 27°F, highs near 40°F
- A rain jacket or umbrella – rain or snow on about 12 days
- Waterproof boots – about 8.8 in of snow in a typical year
- A hat and gloves – about 22 freezing nights
Heating and cooling
January has 990 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 17% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.
Questions
How cold is Nantucket in January?
The normal high is 40°F and the normal low is 27°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest January reading was -3°F (January 16, 2004).
Does it rain a lot in Nantucket in January?
About 12 days in January have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 3.2 in. The wettest January in 1991-2020 was in 2016 (5.3 in); the driest was in 2003 (1.5 in).
Does it snow in Nantucket in January?
Yes. Normal snowfall in January is 8.8 in, and snow covers the ground on about 6 days.
Is January a good time to visit Nantucket?
January ranks 12th of 12 months on our comfort score for Nantucket (31 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days (judged by temperature only). The best months are July and August.
Where the numbers come from
- Temperature, rain and frost dates: Nantucket Mem Airport (USW00014756), 2.9 mi SE of the city center, 45 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Snowfall and snow depth: Edgartown (USC00192501), 23 mi WNW of the city center, 30 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
- Humidity and wind by hour: Plymouth Muni Airport (USW00054769), 54 mi NW of the city center, 149 ft (128 ft higher 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).