Last updated: February 26, 2025
January weather in Essen, Germany is marked by a chilly ambiance, with average temperatures hovering around 3°C (38°F). Maximum daytime temperatures can reach 14°C (58°F), offering brief, milder spells, while nights can plummet to a crisp -8°C (17°F). This month witnesses a considerable amount of precipitation, totaling 65 mm (2.5 in) over approximately 12 days, contributing to the overall dampness, with humidity levels rising to a notable 91%. The cold and wet conditions create an atmosphere that is both invigorating and reflective, perfect for enjoying the charm of winter in this vibrant city.
In Essen, Germany, January brings a chilly grasp, with temperatures dipping as low as -8°C (17°F) and an average hovering around 3°C (38°F). While the month may start off frosty, there's a surprising warmth possible, with maximum temperatures reaching up to 14°C (58°F). This sets the tone for what lies ahead; as winter wanes into February, temperatures can plummet further with lows hitting -18°C (0°F). Overall, January serves as a pivotal moment in a transitional climate, where the bitter cold begins to soften, hinting at the milder days of spring that follow. The gradual increase in daily averages paves the way for a broader temperature range as the year unfolds, showcasing the charming seasonal shifts of this vibrant German city.
January in Essen, Germany, ushers in a moderate precipitation level of 65 mm (2.5 in), spread over approximately 12 rainy days. This sets the tone for the winter season, with precipitation slightly increasing in February, reaching 67 mm (2.6 in). As the months progress, it’s evident that spring brings a gradual rise in both rainfall amounts and rainy days, peaking in the summer months with July experiencing the highest precipitation at 81 mm (3.2 in) over 13 days. Interestingly, while October boasts the most substantial single-month rainfall at 86 mm (3.4 in), the distribution of rainfall remains fairly consistent, suggesting that Essen's wet winter can transition smoothly into a lush and vibrant spring and summer. This trend emphasizes the city's characteristic climate, marked by a relatively even spread of rainfall throughout the year, ensuring its greenery thrives.
In Essen, Germany, January ushers in a notable peak in humidity, averaging an impressive 91%, which sets the tone for the winter months. As the year progresses, a gradual decline in humidity is observed, with February and March showing slight drops to 89% and 87%, respectively. This trend continues through the spring, as April sees a further decrease to 82%. By the time summer arrives, humidity stabilizes at a lower level, hovering around 66% in both July and August, making the warmer months notably drier. However, as autumn approaches, humidity levels rebound, climbing back up to 81% in September and eventually returning to the higher percentages typical of winter, with both October and November showcasing 86% and 90%. This cyclical pattern—high humidity in winter and autumn, contrasted with lower levels in summer—offers a fascinating glimpse into the climatic rhythms of Essen throughout the year.
In Essen, Germany, January features a low UV Index of 1, suggesting minimal sun exposure risk, with a burn time of around 45 minutes. This trend continues into February, maintaining the same UV Index and burn time. As spring approaches, the UV Index escalates in March and April to moderate levels of 4 and 5, respectively, reducing the safe exposure time to 30 minutes. By May, the Index jumps to 7, marking the onset of high UV levels, and burn times decrease to 25 minutes as summer nears. June sees a peak at 8, categorized as very high, with burn times plummeting to just 15 minutes. The high levels persist through July and August before tapering off in September to a moderate 5. As the year winds down, a return to lower UV Index values is noted in October, November, and finally December, where it drops back to 1. This cyclical pattern underscores the importance of sun safety, especially during the sunnier months. For more detailed information, visit Essen UV Index.
UV Risk Categories
Essen, Germany, experiences a notable transformation in sunshine hours as the year unfolds. Starting with a modest 99 hours in January, the city's sun-drenched days gradually accumulate, peaking in May with an impressive 396 hours. The transition from winter to spring brings a remarkable increase, with February and March witnessing a substantial rise to 189 and 260 hours respectively, laying the groundwork for the summer months. June, July, and August maintain this sunny trend, hovering around 397 to 382 hours, promising vibrant outdoor activities. As autumn approaches, sunshine begins to wane, tapering off to 238 hours in October and further decreasing to 119 in December. Overall, this pattern reflects a clear seasonal cycle where Essen enjoys its brightest moments mid-year, inviting residents and visitors to embrace the warmth of longer days.
In Essen, Germany, the likelihood of encountering sunny weather in January is relatively low, with only a 14% chance of sun. This trend reflects a notable increase as the months progress, with February seeing a jump to 25% and March further rising to 35%. Spring brings a more promising 38% chance of sunshine in April, which is a welcome contrast to the gloomier winter months. However, as we move into the summer months, the chances of sunlight remain moderate, hovering around 27% to 31% from June to August, before dipping again in the fall. Overall, while January is not the sunniest of months, the gradual increase in sunny days as winter fades is a hopeful sign for those longing for brighter skies.
In Essen, Germany, January marks the beginning of the year with approximately 8 hours of daylight, offering a subtle but steady increase as the months progress. By February, daylight extends to 9 hours, and the trend continues to rise sharply through the spring, reaching 13 hours in April and peaking at 16 hours during the captivating summer months of June and July. As summer fades into autumn, daylight begins to wane, descending to 12 hours in September and closing the year with a retreat to 8 hours in November, followed by just 7 hours in December. This rhythmic cycle not only signifies the shift in seasons but also highlights the evolving landscape of light in Essen, inviting residents to embrace the longer days as they emerge from the winter's chill.
In Essen, Germany, the January winds blow steadily at an average of 3.7 m/s (8 mph), setting a tone that resonates throughout the winter months. Interestingly, this consistent breeze remains prevalent not just in January but also in March, May, and December, where the average wind speed peaks at the same level. As we transition into spring, there’s a slight dip in April, but winds regain momentum in October, soaring to 4.1 m/s (9 mph). During the warmer months, however, the winds mellow, with the lowest averages in June (2.5 m/s) and September (2.8 m/s), suggesting a transition of energy as the seasons shift. Overall, the wind patterns in Essen reveal a rhythmic ebb and flow, mirroring the changing seasons while maintaining a steady presence in the heart of winter.
The weather in Essen changes throughout the year, offering a unique experience in each season. Below is a month-by-month comparison of January's weather with other months, highlighting differences in temperature, precipitation, and other key factors. Click on each section to discover seasonal trends in Essen and find detailed weather information for every month.
January and February exhibit notable similarities and differences in weather patterns. January experiences an average temperature of 3°C (38°F), with minimums reaching -8°C (17°F) and maximums hitting 14°C (58°F). Precipitation is similar between the two months, with January receiving 65 mm (2.5 in) over 12 days and humidity relatively high at 91%. In contrast, February shows slightly colder conditions, with an average temperature of 4°C (40°F), a minimum dropping to -18°C (0°F), and maximums rising to 18°C (66°F). February's precipitation is slightly higher at 67 mm (2.6 in) over the same number of days, but with a slightly lower humidity of 89%. For more detailed insights, check out the Essen weather in February.
In comparing January and March, we see notable differences in temperature and overall weather conditions. January experiences chilly temperatures, with a minimum of -8°C (17°F) and an average of 3°C (38°F), while March tends to be milder, starting at a minimum of -11°C (13°F) but averaging 6°C (43°F) and peaking at a maximum of 22°C (71°F). Precipitation levels are relatively close, with January receiving 65 mm (2.5 in) over 12 days and March seeing a slight increase to 70 mm (2.7 in) over 13 days. Additionally, the humidity is higher in January at 91%, compared to March's 87%. For a more detailed look at the weather patterns in March, you can refer to Essen weather in March.
January and April exhibit stark contrasts in weather, showcasing the transition from winter to spring. In January, temperatures typically range from a chilly minimum of -8°C (17°F) to a mild maximum of 14°C (58°F), with an average of 3°C (38°F). The month experiences significant precipitation, totaling 65 mm (2.5 in) over 12 days, coupled with a high humidity level of 91%. In contrast, April brings a more moderate climate, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -3°C (26°F) to a pleasant maximum of 28°C (83°F) and an average of 9°C (49°F). This month sees less precipitation at 41 mm (1.6 in) over 9 days and lower humidity at 82%. For a detailed overview of the weather conditions in April, visit Essen weather in April.
January and May showcase striking contrasts in weather. In January, temperatures can drop as low as -8°C (17°F), with an average of 3°C (38°F) and a maximum of 14°C (58°F). The month is characterized by high humidity at 91% and approximately 65 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation over 12 days. In contrast, May brings milder conditions, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -1°C (31°F) to a pleasant average of 13°C (56°F), peaking at 32°C (91°F). Despite having slightly less precipitation at 58 mm (2.3 in) over 13 days, the humidity drops to a more comfortable 73%. For more details on the weather in May, you can check this link: Essen weather in May.
In January, the weather is quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from a low of -8°C (17°F) to a maximum of 14°C (58°F). This month experiences significant humidity at 91% and sees about 65 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation over approximately 12 days. In contrast, June brings a much warmer climate, where temperatures can vary from a minimum of 5°C (41°F) to a sweltering maximum of 35°C (95°F), boasting an average temperature of 18°C (65°F). Despite experiencing slightly more precipitation at 70 mm (2.7 in) over 11 days, the humidity drops to a comfortable 66%. For more details on the weather during this month, check out Essen weather in June.
In January, the weather is quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from a minimum of -8°C (17°F) to a maximum of 14°C (58°F), and an average temperature of 3°C (38°F). The month experiences 65 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation over 12 days, coupled with high humidity at 91%, creating a damp and cold atmosphere. In contrast, July brings warmer temperatures, with a minimum of 7°C (44°F), an average of 18°C (66°F), and a striking maximum of 39°C (102°F). With slightly higher precipitation at 81 mm (3.2 in) over 13 days, humidity drops to a more comfortable 66%. For a closer look at the summer climate, check out Essen weather in July.
January and August present striking contrasts in weather patterns. In January, temperatures can dip as low as -8°C (17°F), with an average of 3°C (38°F) and highs reaching 14°C (58°F). Alongside this chill, the month experiences considerable humidity at 91% and around 65 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation over 12 days. In contrast, August brings much warmer conditions, with minimum temperatures of 8°C (46°F), an average of 19°C (66°F), and peak highs soaring to 36°C (97°F). Although August records slightly more precipitation at 77 mm (3.0 in) over 14 days, the humidity drops to a more comfortable 67%. The difference in weather between these two months highlights the seasonal variations experienced throughout the year. For more details, check out Essen weather in August.
In January, the weather is markedly colder, with temperatures ranging from a chilly -8°C (17°F) at night to a maximum of 14°C (58°F) during the day. The average temperature hovers around 3°C (38°F), accompanied by high humidity levels at 91%, and there's about 65 mm (2.5 in) of precipitation spread over 12 days. In contrast, September offers a more temperate climate, with a minimum temperature of 3°C (38°F) and daytime highs reaching 31°C (88°F), resulting in an average of 15°C (59°F). Precipitation is slightly lower at 59 mm (2.3 in) over 11 days, and humidity also decreases to 81%. For more about the weather in September, you can check Essen weather in September.
In comparing the weather of January and October, we see significant differences in both temperature and conditions. January experiences colder temperatures, with averages around 3°C (38°F) and a minimum dropping as low as -8°C (17°F), while October shows a milder average of 12°C (53°F) and can reach up to 28°C (82°F) at its peak. Precipitation levels also differ, with January receiving about 65 mm (2.5 in) over 12 days, whereas October has higher precipitation at 86 mm (3.4 in) across 14 days. Additionally, humidity is slightly lower in October at 86%, compared to a brisk 91% in January. For more details, you can check Essen weather in October.
In January, temperatures can drop significantly, with a minimum of -8°C (17°F) and an average around 3°C (38°F), compared to November's milder temperatures, which range from a minimum of -2°C (28°F) to an average of 7°C (45°F). While both months experience precipitation on approximately 12 days, January tends to receive slightly more precipitation at 65 mm (2.5 in) compared to November's 52 mm (2.0 in). Humidity levels are quite similar, at 91% in January and 90% in November, creating a chilly and damp atmosphere in the winter months. For a closer look at the November climate, you can check Essen weather in November.
In comparing the weather between January and December, both months exhibit similar low temperatures, consistently reaching a minimum of -8°C (17°F). However, January has a slightly lower average temperature of 3°C (38°F), compared to December's average of 5°C (41°F). Precipitation levels are notable as well; January receives less rain, totaling 65 mm (2.5 in) over 12 days, while December sees more rainfall at 83 mm (3.3 in) across 15 days. Humidity remains high in both months, with January at 91% and December slightly lower at 90%. For more detailed weather information, you can visit Essen weather in December.
January in Essen presents a stark contrast to the milder months of the year, embodying the characteristics of winter with crisp temperatures and significant humidity. With an average temperature hovering around 3°C (38°F), the weather is noticeably chillier than the spring and summer months, leading to a cozy atmosphere that invites warm beverages and indoor activities. The 65 mm of precipitation spread over 12 days adds a level of dampness, making this month one of the wetter times of the year. While the days are short and often grey, January’s cold snap serves as a refreshing reminder of the seasonal changes, prompting residents and visitors to appreciate the city's vibrant indoor culture and historical charm. For a deeper dive into how this month fits into the broader climatic patterns, visit Essen Climate.