January is one of the cooler months of the year in Saguenay, with average highs near -11.8°C and lows around -22.7°C (mean -17.2°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 55 mm of rainfall and 96% relative humidity across the period.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in Saguenay. Across 45 years of records, the warmest January in Saguenay was 2021 — when the month averaged -11.8°C — while the coldest was 1994 at -25.1°C. Typical January days reach -11.8°C with nights near -22.7°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.9°C per decade.
January is one of the drier months in Saguenay, averaging 55 mm of rainfall. The wettest January on record was 1986 with 104 mm, while the driest was 2003 at 21 mm.
Relative humidity in Saguenay during January averages 96%. The most humid January was 1984 at 97%, and the least humid was 2005 at 93%.
January receives about 1.2 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Saguenay. The sunniest Januarys were 2003, 2005 and 2022 at 1.5 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2017, 2019 and 2024, among others at 1.1.
Average wind speed in Saguenay during January is 2 m/s. The windiest Januarys were 1997 and 2000 at 2.4 m/s, while the calmest were 1984 and 2023 at 1.5 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -18.6°C | -17.9°C | -17.4°C | -16.5°C | -15.1°C | +3.5°C |
| Avg High | -13.2°C | -12.1°C | -12.1°C | -11.0°C | -10.1°C | +3.1°C |
| Avg Low | -24.1°C | -23.8°C | -22.6°C | -22.1°C | -20.1°C | +4°C |
| Avg Rain | 52 mm | 67 mm | 47 mm | 62 mm | 38 mm | -14 mm |
January temperatures in Saguenay have risen by about 5°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
January has ranged from a record low of -46.9°C (1994) to a record high of 4.7°C (1996).
Rainfall in January is one of the drier months, averaging 55 mm, with a wettest year of 104 mm.
A quieter season to visit Saguenay
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of July and August tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Saguenay. That said, January — with days averaging -11.8°C and nights around -22.7°C (mean -17.2°C) and moderate rainfall (55 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -11.3°C | -15.4°C | -19.6°C | 0.1°C | -35.4°C | 40 mm | 95% | 2.1 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2024 | -8.6°C | -13.9°C | -19.2°C | -1.6°C | -29.8°C | 44 mm | 94% | 2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2023 | -8.8°C | -13.9°C | -19.0°C | 0.4°C | -27.4°C | 31 mm | 96% | 1.5 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2022 | -14.3°C | -21.1°C | -27.9°C | -1.0°C | -38.0°C | 40 mm | 96% | 1.9 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2021 🔥 | -7.9°C | -11.8°C | -15.7°C | -0.3°C | -26.5°C | 24 mm | 96% | 1.7 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2020 | -9.5°C | -14.4°C | -19.3°C | 0.5°C | -31.7°C | 48 mm | 97% | 1.7 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2019 | -12.6°C | -18.7°C | -24.8°C | -1.2°C | -36.5°C | 77 mm | 96% | 2.3 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2018 | -12.4°C | -18.4°C | -24.4°C | 1.4°C | -38.1°C | 88 mm | 96% | 2.2 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2017 | -8.6°C | -13.4°C | -18.3°C | 0.7°C | -37.8°C | 81 mm | 96% | 2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2016 | -9.3°C | -14.3°C | -19.3°C | 0.6°C | -34.4°C | 47 mm | 96% | 2.1 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2015 | -13.5°C | -19.5°C | -25.5°C | -2.4°C | -39.8°C | 68 mm | 96% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2014 | -11.9°C | -17.6°C | -23.3°C | 0.7°C | -42.7°C | 52 mm | 96% | 2.2 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2013 | -10.9°C | -17.1°C | -23.3°C | 1.3°C | -38.0°C | 70 mm | 96% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2012 | -9.7°C | -15.9°C | -22.2°C | 1.0°C | -35.0°C | 56 mm | 96% | 2.1 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2011 | -12.5°C | -16.9°C | -21.3°C | 1.2°C | -37.1°C | 34 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2010 | -8.5°C | -13.4°C | -18.4°C | 1.5°C | -30.6°C | 43 mm | 96% | 2 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2009 | -15.2°C | -20.6°C | -26.0°C | -5.4°C | -41.5°C | 39 mm | 96% | 1.8 m/s | 1.4 |
| 2008 | -9.4°C | -14.4°C | -19.4°C | 1.3°C | -36.9°C | 58 mm | 96% | 2 m/s | 1.2 |
| 2007 | -10.3°C | -15.4°C | -20.6°C | 2.5°C | -36.8°C | 64 mm | 96% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2006 | -7.4°C | -12.3°C | -17.1°C | 1.7°C | -29.0°C | 76 mm | 97% | 2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 2005 | -13.1°C | -19.2°C | -25.4°C | 1.9°C | -35.8°C | 22 mm | 93% | 2 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2004 | -17.3°C | -22.4°C | -27.5°C | -1.1°C | -43.1°C | 65 mm | 97% | 2.3 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2003 | -15.1°C | -20.3°C | -25.4°C | -2.8°C | -39.1°C | 21 mm | 97% | 1.8 m/s | 1.5 |
| 2002 | -9.0°C | -14.5°C | -19.9°C | 0.0°C | -34.4°C | 40 mm | 95% | 1.7 m/s | 1.3 |
| 2001 | -11.5°C | -17.1°C | -22.8°C | -4.4°C | -31.2°C | 23 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 1.4 |
| 2000 | -12.5°C | -17.5°C | -22.4°C | 0.9°C | -37.3°C | 64 mm | 97% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1999 | -11.7°C | -18.2°C | -24.8°C | 0.9°C | -44.3°C | 74 mm | 96% | 2.2 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1998 | -9.6°C | -14.7°C | -19.7°C | 0.7°C | -35.0°C | 37 mm | 95% | 1.9 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1997 | -12.1°C | -17.7°C | -23.3°C | 0.6°C | -40.8°C | 88 mm | 96% | 2.4 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1996 | -12.7°C | -18.7°C | -24.7°C | 4.7°C | -40.8°C | 55 mm | 94% | 2.1 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1995 | -9.8°C | -14.4°C | -19.1°C | 0.9°C | -39.0°C | 77 mm | 96% | 1.9 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1994 ❄️ | -18.4°C | -25.1°C | -31.8°C | -3.0°C | -46.9°C | 65 mm | 96% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1993 | -12.8°C | -18.6°C | -24.4°C | 0.8°C | -40.4°C | 44 mm | 96% | 1.8 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1992 | -13.0°C | -18.9°C | -24.9°C | 0.1°C | -42.7°C | 96 mm | 97% | 2.1 m/s | 1.3 |
| 1991 | -13.7°C | -20.0°C | -26.3°C | -3.5°C | -40.7°C | 53 mm | 96% | 1.9 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1990 | -7.4°C | -13.2°C | -18.9°C | 0.8°C | -31.3°C | 79 mm | 96% | 2.2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1989 | -10.4°C | -16.8°C | -23.3°C | 0.8°C | -37.8°C | 57 mm | 96% | 2.2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1988 | -9.8°C | -15.3°C | -20.8°C | 0.9°C | -40.9°C | 70 mm | 97% | 2.1 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1987 | -11.5°C | -16.6°C | -21.7°C | -2.9°C | -35.2°C | 47 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1986 🌧️ | -12.2°C | -18.2°C | -24.1°C | 1.0°C | -44.1°C | 104 mm | 97% | 2.2 m/s | 1.1 |
| 1985 | -17.7°C | -21.8°C | -25.9°C | -9.2°C | -37.1°C | 39 mm | 97% | 2 m/s | 1.4 |
| 1984 | -15.0°C | -20.9°C | -26.8°C | -1.1°C | -41.8°C | 21 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 1.2 |
| 1983 | -10.9°C | -16.0°C | -21.1°C | 0.4°C | -35.7°C | 44 mm | 95% | 1.8 m/s | — |
| 1982 | -16.0°C | -22.3°C | -28.5°C | -0.5°C | -45.4°C | 43 mm | 96% | 2.3 m/s | — |
| 1981 | -15.4°C | -19.9°C | -24.5°C | 0.7°C | -37.5°C | 45 mm | 97% | 1.9 m/s | — |
Actual recorded January data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in January is around -11.8°C with lows near -22.7°C (mean -17.2°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
January averages 55 mm of rainfall in Saguenay, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 104 mm in 1986.
The hottest January reached 4.7°C in 1996. The coldest dipped to -46.9°C in 1994.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average January temperatures have risen by about 5°C. Daytime highs moved from -15°C to -10.2°C and overnight lows from -25.4°C to -20.3°C over the same span.
January is one of the cooler months of the year in Saguenay and one of the drier months, so plan for around -11.8°C daytime highs and -22.7°C at night.
Yes — January is the coldest month of the year in Saguenay, averaging -17.2°C.
For January in Saguenay, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of -11.8°C and lows of -22.7°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in January averages 96% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in January is 2 m/s. The windiest January on record averaged 2.4 m/s (1997).
The wettest January on record was 1986 with 104 mm. On average, January sees 55 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Saguenay behaves each January, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for January specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
