Month guide · Pittsburgh · United States
Pittsburgh in January
What January is really like in Pittsburgh: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Piotrus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 2°C (36°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 15 rainy days and roughly 9.6 hours of daylight. Cold and grey, with regular snow showers; a quiet month for museums and low hotel prices.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 2°C (36°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 15
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in January
January is the coolest month in Pittsburgh: days average 2°C (36°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 15 of its 31 days. Compared with December (4°C (39°F)), January is cooler; by February highs climb to around 4°C (39°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:41
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 17:17
- Daylight
- About 9.6 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, cloudy and snowy at times, with holiday lights, skating at PPG Place and low hotel rates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Pittsburgh, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · North Shore
Andy Warhol Museum
Start at the top floor and work down chronologically, and check when the basement printing studio is running.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Museum · Oakland
Carnegie Museums of Natural History and Art
Andrew Carnegie's twin museums share a building and a ticket.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
- Iconic
Architecture · Oakland
Cathedral of Learning
Check the Nationality Rooms tour schedule; some rooms can only be seen with a guide, and December brings holiday decorations.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Oakland
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
A Victorian glasshouse opened in 1893 at the edge of Schenley Park, Phipps has more than a dozen rooms of palms, orchids, desert plants and a tropical forest, with seasonal flower shows and Chihuly glass.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Rainy day
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 2°C, lows near -6°C and 15 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Pittsburgh?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Pittsburgh in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Pittsburgh?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and grey, with regular snow showers; a quiet month for museums and low hotel prices.
+How warm is Pittsburgh in January?
Average highs are around 2°C (36°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Pittsburgh in January?
Expect rain on about 15 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.