When to go · North Pole
North Pole in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (lows near −26 °C (−15 °F)/−15 °F); Nov–Mar for driving if you are not used to ice.Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (lows near −15 °F (−26 °C)/−15 °F); Nov–Mar for driving if you are not used to ice.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) / −27°C (−17°F)−17°F (−27°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 1
- Crowds
- Low
- United States overall
- Prices
- Low
- United States overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (lows near −26 °C (−15 °F)/−15 °F); Nov–Mar for driving if you are not used to ice.Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (lows near −15 °F (−26 °C)/−15 °F); Nov–Mar for driving if you are not used to ice.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside North Pole's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open); late Nov–Dec for Christmas postmark.
- JulyGreatInside North Pole's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open); late Nov–Dec for Christmas postmark.
- AugustGreatInside North Pole's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open); late Nov–Dec for Christmas postmark.
- NovemberGreatInside North Pole's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open); late Nov–Dec for Christmas postmark.
Weather in January
- North PoleHighs around -17 °C (1 °F), lows around -27 °C (−17 °F), rain on about 1 dayHighs around 1 °F (-17 °C), lows around −17 °F (-27 °C), rain on about 1 day
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · United States overall
- Low
- Prices · United States overall
- Low
United States overall: Cold and snowy north and in the mountains; Florida, Hawaii and the desert Southwest are the picks.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in North Pole, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: -17 °C (1 °F)1 °F (-17 °C)
Jun: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Night low
Jan: -27 °C (−17 °F)−17 °F (-27 °C)
Jun: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 1 (better)
Jun: 2
Crowds
Jan: Low
Jun: High
Prices
Jan: Low
Jun: High
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
Jun: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb (lows near −26 °C/−15 °F); Nov–Mar for driving if you are not used to ice.
June: Inside North Pole's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open); late Nov–Dec for Christmas postmark.
North Pole: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings