Weather Comparison
Side-by-side weather comparison for January
| Metric | Lyon | Milan | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average HighHigher is warmer | 7°C (45°F)▲ | 3°C (37°F) | Lyon |
| Average LowHigher is milder | 0°C (32°F)▲ | -9°C (16°F) | Lyon |
| Rain DaysFewer is drier | 13 days | 3 days▲ | Milan |
| PrecipitationLess is drier | 69 mm | 33 mm▲ | Milan |
| Sunshine HoursMore is sunnier | 5h/day▲ | 1h/day | Lyon |
| HumidityLower is more comfortable | 65% | 65% | Tie |
| UV IndexLower is safer | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Wind SpeedCalmer is better | 15 km/h | 15 km/h | Tie |
Lyon and Milan are closely matched in January. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.
Lyon is on the cooler side at 7°C, requiring warmer clothing. Milan is cooler at 3°C.
For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Milan is the stronger choice in January. Lyon receives 4 more hours of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Lyon reaches an average high of 7°C (45°F) and drops to 0°C (32°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 7°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.
Milan averages 3°C (37°F) for the high and -9°C (16°F) for the low, with a daily range of 12°C. The 4°C difference is noticeable but not dramatic.
Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.
Lyon receives approximately 69 mm of rainfall across 13 rain days during January. You can expect rain roughly every other day.
Milan sees 33 mm over 3 rain days. That makes Milan the drier option by 10 rain days and 36 mm of total precipitation.
Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.
Highs of 7°C, lows of 0°C, 13 rain days
Highs of 3°C, lows of -9°C, 3 rain days
Pack for both: heavy winter coat, thermal base layers, warm gloves and hat, insulated boots, a warm scarf. These items are useful in either destination during January.
The table below shows average high temperatures and rain days for every month. January is highlighted for quick reference.
| Month | Lyon | Milan | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | Rain | High | Rain | |
| Jan | 7°C | 13d | 3°C | 3d |
| Feb | 9°C | 10d | 7°C | 3d |
| Mar | 13°C | 11d | 12°C | 4d |
| Apr | 16°C | 12d | 18°C | 5d |
| May | 20°C | 13d | 22°C | 6d |
| Jun | 24°C | 12d | 23°C | 6d |
| Jul | 27°C | 10d | 22°C | 6d |
| Aug | 27°C | 9d | 18°C | 5d |
| Sep | 22°C | 9d | 12°C | 4d |
| Oct | 17°C | 11d | 7°C | 3d |
| Nov | 11°C | 12d | 3°C | 3d |
| Dec | 7°C | 12d | 1°C | 3d |
Lyon Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities
Milan Weather in January
Full forecast, packing tips, and activities