Danube water levels in January

Right now a Danube cruise in January 2027 has a 44% chance of sailing as planned past the shallowest stretch: high risk. This comes from the live forecast and is updated every morning.

Affected rarely means canceled. On the Danube it means ship swaps or bus days on the shallow reach between Straubing and Vilshofen and through the Wachau valley.

In January the Alps hold their precipitation as snow, so the rivers run on lowland winter rain. Levels are usually modest but workable, and modern winters rarely bring ice.

Across thirty years of records, January ran as planned on the Danube in about 20% of years, 8th calmest of the twelve months. The calmest months here are May and April; September and October lean hardest on the rain.

The last five Januarys, from the official record: 2026 31 low water days · 2025 9 low water days · 2024 clear · 2023 8 low water days · 2022 2 low water days. Recent Januarys split: 2024 stayed clear, while 2026, 2025, 2023 and 2022 hit low water.

To turn this into a date-specific answer, use the cruise checker. The wider picture is on the Danube page and in when to go.