So, you're looking at the 10 day forecast for los angeles and wondering if you should pack a parka or a tank top. Honestly, January in LA is a bit of a psychological thriller. One minute you’re sweating in 80-degree heat at a Santa Monica sidewalk cafe, and the next, you’re shivering as a damp marine layer rolls in like a scene from a noir film.
Right now, we are smack in the middle of a weirdly warm stretch. Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, it is basically summer. We are looking at a high of 78°F with nothing but sun. If you’re at the beach, it’s glorious. If you’re stuck in traffic on the 405, it’s just hot. But don't let this fool you into thinking the next week is going to be a total heatwave.
The ridge is crumbling (sorta)
What’s actually happening is a classic Southern California "ridge" setup. We’ve had this high pressure sitting over us, pushing offshore winds—those Santa Anas—that keep things dry and toasty. But the National Weather Service is already flagging a change. This ridge is starting to erode.
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The immediate 10 day forecast for los angeles shows temperatures staying high through the weekend. Saturday and Sunday are sticking to that 81-82°F range. It’s perfect "winter" weather that makes everyone in the Midwest hate us. But look closer at the nighttime lows. We’re dropping into the low 50s. That’s a 30-degree swing. You will regret not bringing a jacket the second the sun dips behind the Santa Monica Mountains.
By Monday, January 19, the cooling trend starts to kick in. It’s not a cliff, but more of a gentle slide. We’ll go from 78°F on Monday down to about 70°F by Friday, January 23.
Why the marine layer matters
Around Wednesday or Thursday of next week, the onshore flow returns. Basically, the ocean says "enough" and starts pushing that cool, moist air back onto the land. Expect the mornings to get grey and hazy.
- Friday, Jan 16: 78°F (Sunny, offshore breezes)
- Saturday, Jan 17: 82°F (Peak heat, stay hydrated)
- Sunday, Jan 18: 81°F (Slightly more clouds)
- Monday, Jan 19: 78°F (The "cooling" begins)
- Mid-week (Jan 21-22): Mid-70s, morning fog likely
Most people get wrong that "sunny LA" means "constant warmth." In reality, January is one of our most volatile months. While we are dry right now, historical data from the NWS shows that late January is often when the storm door actually opens. We are currently in a weak La Niña year, which usually means drier conditions, but the long-range ensemble models are starting to whisper about "substantial precipitation" toward the very end of the month—around January 27 or 28.
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How to actually prepare
If you’re planning a trip or just trying to survive your commute, forget "seasonal" dressing. Dress for the hour, not the month.
I’ve lived here long enough to know that the "Valley" (San Fernando) will be five degrees hotter than Downtown, and Downtown will be five degrees hotter than Santa Monica. If the forecast says 75°F for "Los Angeles," that’s a broad average.
The biggest misconception about the 10 day forecast for los angeles is that it's set in stone. Because our weather is so heavily influenced by the Pacific, a slight shift in the wind direction can turn a "sunny 75" into a "foggy 62" in a matter of hours.
Actionable Steps for the Next 10 Days:
- Hydrate now: The current offshore winds are incredibly dry. Your skin and your sinuses will feel it before you even realize you're thirsty.
- The 3-Layer Rule: Start with a light base, add a sweater, and keep a windbreaker in the car. You’ll use all three before the day is over.
- Check the Fog: If you’re driving late at night or early morning toward the coast (KLAX area), keep an eye on visibility updates. The transition from the ridge to onshore flow often triggers dense, dangerous fog banks.
- Wash the car early: If you’re a perfectionist, get the car washed this weekend, but be aware that by the end of next week (around the 25th), we might finally see some of those "winter" rain chances creep back into the models.
Enjoy the heat while it lasts, but don't pack away the umbrellas just yet. LA weather loves to pull a fast one right when you think it's safe to call it summer.