Boston · January
Run in the midday.
Cold: average high 37°F, low 22°F. Layering becomes the workout. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
Avg high / low
37° / 22°F
Humidity
67%
Rain days
12/mo
Wind
14 mph
What January feels like in Boston
Sunrise
08:08
Mid-month average
Sunset
17:38
Mid-month average
Time-of-day breakdown
Morning
Steady cool air, low wind, and good light. The standard runner window in most months.
Midday
Often the warmest few hours of a cold day. If you can only run once, midday gives you the most temperate window.
Evening
Cold drops back in fast after sunset. Tight window — done before headlamp territory.
What to wear running in Boston in January
The kit for January in Boston: cold-weather layers, gloves, and ear coverage on most mornings, a wind-blocking layer for exposed routes, a water-resistant cap or jacket on standby.
January vs the surrounding months
vs December
-6° avg high
-1 rain days
Boston in December →
January
37°F avg high
12 rain days
Best: midday
vs February
-2° avg high
-1 rain days
Boston in February →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day to run in Boston in January?+
Midday. Cold mornings warm into runnable midday hours — the windows around noon catch the warmest temperatures.
What's the average temperature in Boston in January?+
Average high 37°F, average low 22°F.
How does January compare to surrounding months in Boston?+
Compared to December (avg high 43°F), January is cooler. Compared to February (avg high 39°F), January is cooler.
Does it rain often in Boston in January?+
Expect about 12 measurable rain days in January, on average.