Built 2026-11-13 (13 November 2026)

January 2026: Weather Records and Temperatures Against Normal

January 2026 is settled: the figures use data received up to 9 November 2026, more than 45 days after the month ended, so the late station reports are in. This page compares January 2026 at weather stations worldwide with each station's own 1991 to 2020 January normal, ranks it against January of every year since 1951, and lists the weather records, events and storms of the month.

Data as of . Last revised (2026-11-09).

Key Facts

  • January 2026 is settled; its data run to 9 November 2026.
  • In January 2026, stations worldwide averaged +0.1 C (+0.3 F) against their 1991 to 2020 January normals, the 16th warmest January in 76 ranked years from 1951 to 2026.
  • The mean daily maximum in January 2026 was -0.3 C (-0.5 F) against normal and the mean daily minimum +0.6 C (+1.0 F).
  • Among the continents in January 2026, Oceania was the warmest against normal, at +0.7 C (+1.3 F), and North America the coolest, at +0.1 C (+0.3 F).
  • The station furthest above its January normal in January 2026 was Nuuk (Greenland [Denmark]), at +7.8 C (+14.0 F); the furthest below was Ylitornio Meltosjarvi (Finland), at -10.2 C (-18.3 F).
  • Of the 7,574 stations with a full month of rain data in January 2026, 39% had less than half their normal January rain and 3% had at least twice their normal; the median station had 62% of its normal.
  • 25,346 weather records were set or tied in January 2026, including 12,010 record highs and 6,891 record lows of maximum and minimum temperature, and 146 all-time records.
  • In January 2026, 62% of the daily temperature records were record highs (1.6 to 1 highs to lows), against an average of 67% for January in 2016 to 2025.
  • 18 extreme weather events detected by this site overlapped January 2026.
  • 11 named storms had a best track position in January 2026; 6 peaked at 64 kt (119 km/h, 74 mph) or more and 3 at 96 kt (178 km/h, 110 mph) or more over their lifetime.
  • The Oceanic Nino Index for DJF 2026, the three months centred on January 2026, was -0.39: neutral, outside any El Nino or La Nina episode. NOAA's relative index (RONI) for the same season was -0.91.
  • Monthly mean extent in January 2026: Arctic sea ice 13.11 million sq km (5.06 million sq mi), the 2nd lowest of 47 years for January; Antarctic sea ice 4.49 million sq km (1.73 million sq mi), the 13th lowest of 47 years for January.
  • Carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa averaged 428.62 ppm in January 2026, 1.97 ppm more than in January 2025.

Temperature Against Normal

January 2026, against 1991 to 2020
Stations against their January normal, January 2026 Mean temperature in January 2026 against each station's own 1991 to 2020 January normal at 1,872 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell (the one with the longest normal).
Mean temperature in January 2026 against each station's own 1991 to 2020 January normal at 1,872 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell (the one with the longest normal). Made with Natural Earth.
Stations against their January normal, January 2026
BandStations on the map
More than 3 C (5.4 F) below normal185
1 to 3 C (1.8 to 5.4 F) below normal378
Within 1 C (1.8 F) of normal805
1 to 3 C (1.8 to 5.4 F) above normal419
More than 3 C (5.4 F) above normal85
Temperature against the 1991 to 2020 normal in January 2026, worldwide and by continent
AreaStationsDaily maximum vs normalDaily minimum vs normalMean vs normalRank for January (1 is warmest)
World5,808-0.3 C (-0.5 F)+0.6 C (+1.0 F)+0.1 C (+0.3 F)16th of 76
Africa14n/an/an/an/a
Asia185-0.6 C (-1.1 F)+1.7 C (+3.1 F)+0.6 C (+1.0 F)11th of 75
Europe988n/an/an/an/a
North America4,226+0.2 C (+0.3 F)+0.1 C (+0.1 F)+0.1 C (+0.3 F)22nd of 76
Oceania395+0.9 C (+1.6 F)+0.5 C (+1.0 F)+0.7 C (+1.3 F)4th of 76
South America0n/an/an/an/a

Stations are averaged in 5 degree grid cells and the cells are weighted by the cosine of their latitude. A value and a rank need cells holding at least 50% of the weight of every cell that has ever had data for January; n/a means fewer stations have reported so far. The world includes Antarctica and islands without a continent row.

January against normal at stations worldwide, 1951 to 2026 The world value for January of every year from 1951 to 2026, computed the same way as for January 2026, which is marked. Years whose cells hold less than 50% of the weight are left blank; the number of stations changes from year to year. -3.0 C -2.0 C -1.0 C 0.0 C +1.0 C +2.0 C 1951195919671975198319911999200720152023
The world value for January of every year from 1951 to 2026, computed the same way as for January 2026, which is marked. Years whose cells hold less than 50% of the weight are left blank; the number of stations changes from year to year. Zero line: each station's own 1991 to 2020 January normal.
January against normal at stations worldwide, 1951 to 2026
YearMean against the 1991 to 2020 normal
1951-1.6 C (-3.0 F)
1952-0.3 C (-0.6 F)
1953-0.7 C (-1.2 F)
1954-1.6 C (-2.8 F)
1955-0.4 C (-0.7 F)
1956-1.3 C (-2.4 F)
1957-0.9 C (-1.6 F)
1958-0.7 C (-1.3 F)
1959-0.7 C (-1.2 F)
1960-1.1 C (-2.0 F)
1961-0.7 C (-1.3 F)
1962-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1963-1.3 C (-2.3 F)
1964-0.9 C (-1.7 F)
1965-0.8 C (-1.4 F)
1966-1.4 C (-2.5 F)
1967-1.2 C (-2.2 F)
1968-1.3 C (-2.3 F)
1969-2.3 C (-4.1 F)
1970-1.4 C (-2.5 F)
1971-0.6 C (-1.1 F)
1972-2.0 C (-3.7 F)
1973-1.0 C (-1.7 F)
1974-1.1 C (-1.9 F)
19750.0 C (0.0 F)
1976-0.7 C (-1.3 F)
1977-2.2 C (-3.9 F)
1978-0.9 C (-1.7 F)
1979-1.5 C (-2.8 F)
1980-1.0 C (-1.9 F)
1981+0.0 C (+0.1 F)
1982-1.2 C (-2.1 F)
1983+0.2 C (+0.4 F)
1984-0.6 C (-1.0 F)
1985-1.4 C (-2.4 F)
1986-0.3 C (-0.6 F)
1987-1.2 C (-2.2 F)
19880.0 C (-0.1 F)
1989-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
1990-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1991+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
1992+0.0 C (+0.1 F)
1993-0.1 C (-0.2 F)
1994-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
1995+0.2 C (+0.4 F)
1996-0.5 C (-0.9 F)
1997-0.4 C (-0.8 F)
1998-0.1 C (-0.1 F)
1999+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
2000-0.6 C (-1.1 F)
2001-0.3 C (-0.6 F)
2002+0.6 C (+1.1 F)
2003+0.1 C (+0.2 F)
2004+0.0 C (+0.0 F)
2005+0.4 C (+0.7 F)
2006-0.6 C (-1.2 F)
2007+1.2 C (+2.1 F)
2008-0.6 C (-1.1 F)
2009-0.1 C (-0.1 F)
2010-0.5 C (-1.0 F)
2011-0.6 C (-1.1 F)
2012-0.4 C (-0.7 F)
2013+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
2014+0.0 C (+0.1 F)
2015+0.6 C (+1.0 F)
2016+0.4 C (+0.6 F)
2017+0.4 C (+0.8 F)
2018+0.3 C (+0.6 F)
2019+0.6 C (+1.1 F)
2020+1.0 C (+1.8 F)
2021+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
2022+0.4 C (+0.7 F)
2023+0.4 C (+0.7 F)
2024+0.6 C (+1.1 F)
2025+1.0 C (+1.8 F)
2026+0.1 C (+0.3 F)

Furthest Above Normal

Stations furthest above their January normal in January 2026
StationCountryMean maximumMaximum vs normalMean minimumMinimum vs normalMean vs normalYears of normal
NuukGreenland [Denmark]3.2 C (37.8 F)+8.2 C (+14.8 F)-2.2 C (28.0 F)+7.3 C (+13.1 F)+7.8 C (+14.0 F)25
Mackay Lost Rvr RsUnited States6.7 C (44.0 F)+8.0 C (+14.4 F)-6.1 C (21.1 F)+7.3 C (+13.2 F)+7.7 C (+13.8 F)29
Biddle 8 SWUnited States9.3 C (48.7 F)+7.1 C (+12.7 F)-2.9 C (26.8 F)+7.7 C (+13.9 F)+7.4 C (+13.3 F)29
Powell Fld STNUnited States8.2 C (46.8 F)+8.0 C (+14.4 F)-7.5 C (18.5 F)+6.0 C (+10.8 F)+7.0 C (+12.6 F)30
Fontenelle DamUnited States3.0 C (37.3 F)+6.4 C (+11.4 F)-10.7 C (12.8 F)+7.2 C (+13.0 F)+6.8 C (+12.2 F)28
Simpson 6 N - WildhorseUnited States1.3 C (34.3 F)+4.3 C (+7.8 F)-7.6 C (18.3 F)+8.6 C (+15.4 F)+6.4 C (+11.6 F)28
RivertonUnited States5.4 C (41.8 F)+6.5 C (+11.8 F)-9.4 C (15.1 F)+6.0 C (+10.7 F)+6.3 C (+11.3 F)25
Boulder Rearing STNUnited States2.9 C (37.3 F)+5.8 C (+10.4 F)-14.6 C (5.7 F)+6.6 C (+11.9 F)+6.2 C (+11.1 F)30
KljuchiRussia-6.3 C (20.6 F)+5.7 C (+10.3 F)-13.2 C (8.3 F)+6.4 C (+11.4 F)+6.0 C (+10.9 F)30
Dinosaur Nm-Quarry AreaUnited States5.6 C (42.0 F)+5.6 C (+10.0 F)-7.6 C (18.3 F)+6.2 C (+11.2 F)+5.9 C (+10.6 F)26

Furthest Below Normal

Stations furthest below their January normal in January 2026
StationCountryMean maximumMaximum vs normalMean minimumMinimum vs normalMean vs normalYears of normal
Ylitornio MeltosjarviFinland-17.8 C (-0.1 F)-10.6 C (-19.1 F)-26.0 C (-14.9 F)-9.7 C (-17.4 F)-10.2 C (-18.3 F)30
Grandad OregonUnited States-1.0 C (30.1 F)-9.6 C (-17.4 F)-9.1 C (15.7 F)-9.6 C (-17.3 F)-9.6 C (-17.4 F)26
OvertorneaSweden-16.8 C (1.7 F)-10.1 C (-18.2 F)-23.9 C (-11.0 F)-8.5 C (-15.2 F)-9.3 C (-16.7 F)26
McCook RidgeUnited States-6.3 C (20.6 F)-9.5 C (-17.1 F)-17.0 C (1.4 F)-8.9 C (-16.1 F)-9.2 C (-16.6 F)28
Savukoski KkFinland-17.6 C (0.3 F)-9.2 C (-16.5 F)-26.2 C (-15.1 F)-9.1 C (-16.5 F)-9.2 C (-16.5 F)30
BardufossNorway-10.5 C (13.0 F)-6.6 C (-11.9 F)-24.5 C (-12.1 F)-11.4 C (-20.6 F)-9.0 C (-16.2 F)30
Ylinenjarvi_ASweden-17.3 C (0.9 F)-9.8 C (-17.7 F)-25.5 C (-13.9 F)-8.1 C (-14.6 F)-9.0 C (-16.1 F)25
Pello Kk MuseotieFinland-17.6 C (0.3 F)-10.1 C (-18.3 F)-24.5 C (-12.0 F)-7.8 C (-14.0 F)-9.0 C (-16.1 F)30
Rovaniemi ApukkaFinland-16.9 C (1.5 F)-9.5 C (-17.2 F)-25.0 C (-13.1 F)-8.0 C (-14.5 F)-8.8 C (-15.8 F)30
Muonio AlamuonioFinland-17.5 C (0.5 F)-8.5 C (-15.3 F)-27.0 C (-16.6 F)-9.0 C (-16.2 F)-8.8 C (-15.8 F)28

The lists use stations with at least 25 years behind their normal. One station does not stand for the area around it.

Countries

Mean temperature against normal by country in January 2026, countries with 5 or more stations
CountryStationsMean vs normal
Greenland [Denmark]6+4.1 C (+7.3 F)
Turkey5+1.6 C (+2.8 F)
Kazakhstan9+1.4 C (+2.5 F)
Uzbekistan7+1.1 C (+1.9 F)
Australia387+0.8 C (+1.4 F)
China101+0.7 C (+1.2 F)
Puerto Rico [United States]13+0.6 C (+1.0 F)
Mongolia15+0.4 C (+0.8 F)
France40+0.3 C (+0.5 F)
Spain85+0.2 C (+0.4 F)
India15+0.1 C (+0.1 F)
United States4,2040.0 C (-0.1 F)
South Africa6-0.1 C (-0.2 F)
Romania20-0.2 C (-0.4 F)
United Kingdom53-0.3 C (-0.5 F)
Switzerland8-0.5 C (-0.9 F)
Thailand12-0.5 C (-0.9 F)
Russia20-0.7 C (-1.2 F)
Netherlands30-1.0 C (-1.9 F)
Germany318-1.5 C (-2.7 F)
Austria5-1.6 C (-3.0 F)
Norway68-2.3 C (-4.1 F)
Sweden174-3.4 C (-6.2 F)
Finland118-3.9 C (-7.1 F)
Ukraine6-4.0 C (-7.3 F)
Poland5-4.2 C (-7.6 F)
Estonia16-5.1 C (-9.2 F)

Rain Against Normal

7,574 stations, January 2026
Rain as a percent of the January normal, January 2026 Rain in January 2026 as a percent of each station's own 1991 to 2020 January mean at 1,777 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell.
Rain in January 2026 as a percent of each station's own 1991 to 2020 January mean at 1,777 stations, at most one per 1 degree cell. Made with Natural Earth.
Rain as a percent of the January normal, January 2026
BandStations on the map
Under 50% of normal684
50 to 90% of normal540
90 to 110% of normal157
110 to 200% of normal301
200% or more of normal95
Stations by rain in January 2026 as a percent of their 1991 to 2020 normal
Under 50%2,934
50 to 90%2,468
90 to 110%777
110 to 200%1,160
200% or more235

Of the 7,574 stations with a full month of rain data in January 2026, 39% had less than half their normal January rain and 3% had at least twice their normal; the median station had 62% of its normal. A station month needs 28 days of rain data, because a total from fewer days is too low, and a normal of at least 10 mm.

Wettest Against Normal

Stations with the most rain against their January normal in January 2026
StationCountryRainNormalPercent of normalYears of normal
Artesia 6SUnited States79.0 mm (3.1 in)11.9 mm (0.5 in)666%30
Benson 6SEUnited States122.8 mm (4.8 in)18.8 mm (0.7 in)653%26
AlcaldeUnited States67.6 mm (2.7 in)11.6 mm (0.5 in)581%27
MountainairUnited States76.2 mm (3.0 in)14.2 mm (0.6 in)536%27
Douglas (Bisbee) Intl APUnited States82.7 mm (3.3 in)16.3 mm (0.6 in)506%29
Reus/AeropuertoSpain143.3 mm (5.6 in)29.6 mm (1.2 in)485%27
Mundrabilla StationAustralia114.8 mm (4.5 in)24.1 mm (0.9 in)476%30
PerpignanFrance268.7 mm (10.6 in)60.1 mm (2.4 in)447%30
Jornada Exp RangeUnited States45.8 mm (1.8 in)10.3 mm (0.4 in)446%27
Anchorage Ted Stevens Intl APUnited States75.3 mm (3.0 in)19.2 mm (0.8 in)393%30

Driest Against Normal

Stations with the least rain against their January normal in January 2026
StationCountryRainNormalPercent of normalYears of normal
Danewood ValeAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)132.6 mm (5.2 in)0%30
Ostas I HegraNorway0.0 mm (0.00 in)101.0 mm (4.0 in)0%30
GillespieAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)90.8 mm (3.6 in)0%29
Whitlands (Burder's Lane)Australia0.0 mm (0.00 in)82.6 mm (3.3 in)0%27
Dworshak Fish HatcheryUnited States0.0 mm (0.00 in)77.6 mm (3.1 in)0%29
ArgadargadaAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)77.3 mm (3.0 in)0%26
Mount SkinnerAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)73.8 mm (2.9 in)0%28
Turlock #2United States0.0 mm (0.00 in)66.0 mm (2.6 in)0%27
Trephina GorgeAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)64.8 mm (2.6 in)0%27
RutherglenAustralia0.0 mm (0.00 in)64.0 mm (2.5 in)0%30

Weather Records

25,346 set or tied in January 2026

25,346 weather records were set or tied in January 2026, including 12,010 record highs and 6,891 record lows of maximum and minimum temperature, and 146 all-time records. Every record of the month is in the records ledger for January 2026.

Records set or tied in January 2026 by type
Record high minimum temperature6,390
Record high maximum temperature5,620
Record low maximum temperature4,146
Record daily precipitation2,864
Record low minimum temperature2,745
Record snow depth2,100
Record daily snowfall1,481
Records set or tied in January 2026 by timescale
Daily24,427
Monthly773
All-time146

January Against the Ten Years Before

Share of daily temperature records that were record highs, January 2016 to 2026 For January of each year from 2016 to 2026: daily record highs as a percent of daily record highs and lows together, worldwide, ties excluded, as on the warm to cold ratio page. January 2026 is marked. The share is compared rather than the totals, because the number of stations changes. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 20162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
For January of each year from 2016 to 2026: daily record highs as a percent of daily record highs and lows together, worldwide, ties excluded, as on the warm to cold ratio page. January 2026 is marked. The share is compared rather than the totals, because the number of stations changes. Dashed line: Equal highs and lows.
Share of daily temperature records that were record highs, January 2016 to 2026
YearRecord highs, percent of highs and lows
201673.2%
201765.5%
201853.1%
201960.6%
202091.9%
202166.6%
202277.4%
202362.6%
202457.2%
202562.7%
202661.8%

In January 2026, 62% of the daily temperature records were record highs (1.6 to 1 highs to lows), against an average of 67% for January in 2016 to 2025.

The Top 10 Records of January 2026

The 10 highest significance records of January 2026
DateStationCountryRecordValueSignificance
2026-01-28Artesia 6SUnited StatesMonthly precipitation62.2 mm (2.4 in)85 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-27Oak Park StationAustraliaAll-time precipitation270.0 mm (10.6 in)83 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-05Park Falls Dnr HQUnited StatesMonthly snowfall43.2 cm (17.0 in)81 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-09VintonUnited StatesDaily precipitation36.8 mm (1.4 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-09Stevens PtUnited StatesDaily precipitation36.3 mm (1.4 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-09EscanabaUnited StatesDaily precipitation36.1 mm (1.4 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-24Kowanyama AirportAustraliaDaily precipitation306.2 mm (12.1 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-26Dublin Phoenix ParkIrelandDaily precipitation37.6 mm (1.5 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-26Clarion 3 SWUnited StatesDaily snowfall35.6 cm (14.0 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)
2026-01-27Mundrabilla StationAustraliaDaily precipitation54.8 mm (2.2 in)80 of 100 (Exceptional)

Countries With the Most Records

Countries with the most records set or tied in January 2026
CountryRecordsHighsLows
United States19,8049,6885,596
Australia1,8031,024213
Netherlands559124
Sweden52512252
Germany3377556
China31321895
Mongolia260101157
Japan22921613
Spain1434124
Finland1411137
India1215863
Norway115987
Russia782420
Kazakhstan643727
United Kingdom59314

Events and Storms

11 named storms had a best track position in January 2026; 6 peaked at 64 kt (119 km/h, 74 mph) or more and 3 at 96 kt (178 km/h, 110 mph) or more over their lifetime.

Storms with a best track position in January 2026, newest first
StormBasinLifetime peak windCategory at peak
MitchellSouth Pacific77 kt (143 km/h, 89 mph)Category 1
FytiaSouth-West Indian96 kt (178 km/h, 110 mph)Category 3
LuanaSouth-West Indian54 kt (100 km/h, 62 mph)Tropical storm
EwetseSouth-West Indian50 kt (93 km/h, 58 mph)Tropical storm
NokaenWestern North Pacific51 kt (94 km/h, 59 mph)Tropical storm
DudzaiSouth-West Indian122 kt (226 km/h, 140 mph)Category 4
KojiSouth Pacific55 kt (102 km/h, 63 mph)Tropical storm
JennaSouth-West Indian90 kt (167 km/h, 104 mph)Category 2
IggySouth-West Indian45 kt (83 km/h, 52 mph)Tropical storm
HayleySouth-West Indian90 kt (167 km/h, 104 mph)Category 2
GrantSouth-West Indian119 kt (220 km/h, 137 mph)Category 4

January 2026 in Context

These values come from other sources and the site's own analysis pages. They are context for January 2026; this page does not say that any of them caused the temperatures or records above.

How These Numbers Are Made

Each station's mean daily maximum and minimum temperature for January 2026 is compared with its own mean for January in 1991 to 2020, from months with at least 20 days of both. A station needs 20 such years for a normal. The mean is the average of the two differences. A station month more than 15 C (27 F) from its normal in either element is treated as a data error and left out.

For the world and each continent, stations are averaged within 5 degree grid cells and the cells are averaged weighted by the cosine of their latitude, so dense networks do not outweigh sparse ones. A continent uses the stations of its own countries. A year gets a value and a rank only when its cells hold at least 50% of the weight of all the cells that have ever had data for January, the rule of the climate pages. This is a station based view: places without stations are not covered, and it is not a gridded temperature analysis.

Records are the site's public ledger: one record per observation, set or tied, at its broadest timescale. The ten year comparison uses daily temperature records only, ties excluded. The numbers and sentences on this page are generated by code from the station data; none of them is typed in by hand.

Download the Data

More Months

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Source: International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) v04r01, NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, doi:10.25921/82ty-9e16. Some agency values come from third parties such as JMA, IMD and BoM. (NOAA NCEI terms (citation requested)) Source: NOAA Climate Prediction Center, Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) and Relative Oceanic Nino Index (RONI). Episodes and strength classes are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not NOAA products. (US Government work, public domain (NWS disclaimer)) Source: Fetterer, F., Knowles, K., Meier, W. N., Savoie, M., Windnagel, A. K. and Stafford, T. (2025). Sea Ice Index, Version 4 (G02135). Boulder, Colorado USA. National Snow and Ice Data Center. doi:10.7265/a98x-0f50. Yearly extremes, ranks, trends and the climatology are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor from the daily extent files and are not NSIDC products. (NSIDC data use and citation policy (public domain government funded data, citation required)) Source: NOAA Global Monitoring Laboratory, Earth System Research Laboratories (gml.noaa.gov/ccgg/trends). Mauna Loa CO2 data are from NOAA and Scripps (before 1974 the monthly values come from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography). The global means of CO2, methane and nitrous oxide are from the NOAA GML cooperative air sampling network (methane and nitrous oxide: Lan, Thoning and Dlugokencky, doi:10.15138/P8XG-AA10). (US Government open data (NOAA GML, citation requested)) Data as of 2026-11-09. Temperatures against normal, ranks and records are computed by this site from station data and are not official.