Warmest US cities in January
The warmest major US city in January is Honolulu, HI, with an average daytime high of 81°F, ahead of Miami, FL (76°F) and Orlando, FL (72°F). The full ranking of the top 12 cities by average January high is below, with January lows and rainfall for context. All figures are NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Top 12 warmest cities in January
| # | City | Avg Jan high | Avg Jan low | Avg Jan precip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu, HI | 81°F | 67°F | 1.8 in |
| 2 | Miami, FL | 76°F | 61°F | 1.8 in |
| 3 | Orlando, FL | 72°F | 50°F | 2.5 in |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | 71°F | 53°F | 2.7 in |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | 68°F | 49°F | 3.3 in |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | 68°F | 46°F | 0.9 in |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | 66°F | 50°F | 2 in |
| 8 | Houston, TX | 64°F | 44°F | 3.8 in |
| 9 | San Antonio, TX | 63°F | 41°F | 2 in |
| 10 | Austin, TX | 63°F | 42°F | 2.6 in |
| 11 | New Orleans, LA | 63°F | 46°F | 5.2 in |
| 12 | Las Vegas, NV | 59°F | 41°F | 0.6 in |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
What the numbers mean
A January average high above about 70°F means warm, t-shirt-friendly afternoons even in midwinter — that is why Honolulu, HI and Miami, FL are popular winter escapes. Note that average highs describe the warmest part of the day; nights are cooler, so check each city's January low in the table above. For the warmest and driest options, see our best winter getaways ranking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the warmest US city in January?
Among the major cities we track, Honolulu, HI has the warmest January, with an average daytime high of 81°F, followed by Miami, FL (76°F) and Orlando, FL (72°F), per NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Which US cities are warm enough to visit in winter?
Cities with average January highs above 70°F — including Honolulu, Miami, Orlando, Tampa — stay reliably warm in winter, making them popular cold-season getaways.
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Last updated: 2026-06-18