January in the Serranía de Cuenca: cold, snow and wintering birds

Mean max.

9 °C

Mean min.

0 °C

Rain

47 mm

Frost days

16

The cold of the sierra

In the highest villages the average January minimum falls below zero: Las Majadas is the coldest of those with data, with an average minimum of about −1.6 °C between 2015 and 2024. Average accumulated snow in January is around 9 cm, with big differences between villages: Beamud, in the Natural Park, gets about 75 cm of snow a year. Forest tracks freeze and mountain roads call for chains.

Winter birds

Birds that are not seen in summer winter on the lakes of the sierra. On the Laguna de Talayuelas, grey heron and shoveler; on the Laguna del Marquesado, grey heron, teal, common pochard and great cormorant. Watch them from the paths, without going near the shore.

The sky in january

The Quadrantids peak around 3 and 4 January. On the cold, dry nights of the Serranía, with clean air, winter is a good time to see Orion high from nightfall. The Serranía de Cuenca is a Starlight Tourist Destination.

Read on: Geology and dinosaurs.

Going to see it: Check the state of the roads before driving up and take warm clothes, water and walking boots.

• Springs, lakes and rivers
• Today's conditions

Frequently asked questions

Is it very cold in January?

Yes: in the villages with data the average minimum is about 0 °C and there are nearly 16 frost days, according to the ERA5 model for 2015 to 2024. At the highest points it falls below zero.

Does it snow?

Often in the high sierra. The January average is about 9 cm across the villages with data, with great variation from one to another.