Month guide · Portland · United States
Portland in January
What January is really like in Portland: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Buzzlovestravel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 2°C (36°F), about 18 rainy days and roughly 9.1 hours of daylight. Cold, wet and grey; occasional ice storms or snow can disrupt the city for a day or two.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 2°C (36°F)
- Rainy days
- About 18
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 11th-warmest month in Portland: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 18°C (64°F), and nights fall to about 2°C (36°F). Rain falls on roughly 18 of its 31 days. Compared with December (8°C (46°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs climb to around 11°C (52°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 07:47
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 16:53
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Cool, grey and wet with occasional snow or ice; quiet and lower-priced, with ski season on Mount Hood.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Portland, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Pearl District
Powell's City of Books
Pick up a free store map at the entrance; it is easy to lose an hour in a single room.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Garden · Downtown
Lan Su Chinese Garden
A walled Ming dynasty-style garden built by artisans from Suzhou, Portland's sister city, filling a city block in Old Town Chinatown with pavilions, a lake, rockeries and a teahouse.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Architecture
- Couples
- Nature
- Rainy day
Museum · Central Eastside and Lloyd
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)
Book the submarine tour on arrival; times are limited.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Garden · Washington Park
International Rose Test Garden
Opened in 1917, this free terraced garden in Washington Park grows more than 10,000 rose bushes of several hundred varieties, tested for new cultivars.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Couples
- Views
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 2°C and 18 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 Portland?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, June–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Portland in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Portland?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, wet and grey; occasional ice storms or snow can disrupt the city for a day or two.
+How warm is Portland in January?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 2°C (36°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Portland in January?
Expect rain on about 18 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.