Danube water levels in January

Right now a Danube cruise in January 2027 has a 48% chance of running into low water at the shallowest stretch: high risk. This comes from the live forecast and is updated every morning.

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 brought low water to the Danube in about 80% of years, 6th calmest of the twelve months. The calmest months here are May and April; the most exposed are August and September.

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.

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.

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.