You’ve lived here long enough to know the drill. You walk out the door in Saugus and it’s a crisp 46 degrees, but by the time you’re grabbing lunch in Valencia, you’re stripping off layers because the sun decided to turn the valley into a convection oven. Santa Clarita weather isn't just a set of numbers; it's a mood.
Honestly, looking at the 10 day forecast santa clarita residents are facing right now, we’re in that weird "fake spring" pocket of January. It’s the kind of week where the car's AC and heater get equal play time.
The Immediate Breakdown: What’s Actually Happening?
Right now, the valley is sitting pretty comfortably. Today, Sunday, January 18, we’re looking at a high of 76°F. That’s genuinely warm for mid-January, especially when you consider the overnight low is going to tank to 46°F. That 30-degree swing is a classic Santa Clarita move.
The humidity is hovering around 30%, so it’s dry. Not "my skin is falling off" Santa Ana dry, but enough that you’ll want the Chapstick. Wind is coming out of the north at a lazy 6 mph. Basically, it’s a perfect day for a hike at Towsley Canyon before the clouds start creeping in tonight.
Tomorrow, Monday, January 19, stays consistent. Expect 74°F for the high and 48°F for the low. It’ll be sunny, clear, and the wind kicks up a notch to about 10 mph from the northeast. If you’re heading out for MLK Day events, it’s prime outdoor weather.
The Mid-Week Shift and That 25% Rain Chance
Here is where things get kinda interesting. Starting Tuesday, the high-pressure ridge starts to wobble. Tuesday, January 20, brings us 73°F with more clouds. By Wednesday, the temperature dips to 72°F, and the sky goes full grey.
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Then comes Thursday, January 21.
The 10 day forecast santa clarita shows a notable drop to 66°F. We’re also looking at a 25% chance of rain during the day. Now, in Los Angeles, 25% usually means "it might mist on your windshield for three seconds," but with the way moisture gets trapped against the Santa Susana mountains, it could mean a legitimate drizzle for the morning commute.
- Friday, Jan 23: The cooling trend hits its floor at 63°F. This is the "coldest" day of the stretch.
- Saturday, Jan 24: We bounce back slightly to 65°F with mostly sunny skies.
- Sunday, Jan 25: Back up to 68°F. The northeast winds return at 10 mph, likely clearing out any lingering marine layer.
Why Santa Clarita Forecasts Are So Hard to Trust
Microclimates. That’s the short answer.
Santa Clarita sits in this topographical bowl. We’ve got the San Gabriel Mountains to the east and the Santa Susanas to the south and west. This creates a literal trap for air. When the National Weather Service issues a forecast for "Santa Clarita," they’re often pulling data from stations near the airport or specific valley points.
But if you’re up in Copper Hill, you might be five degrees cooler than someone sitting in a Newhall backyard. Elevation matters here. The "10 day forecast" is a guide, but the valley’s geography often plays by its own rules.
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Historically, January in Santa Clarita averages a high of 64°F and a low of 41°F. We are currently trending significantly warmer than the "typical" year. This lack of a deep freeze is great for your utility bill, but it’s a bit of a bummer if you were hoping for a real winter vibe.
Planning Your Next Week in the SCV
If you're trying to schedule your life around this weather, focus on the layers.
Tuesday and Wednesday are going to be those "mostly cloudy" days where the sun feels like it’s teasing you. You think it’s warm, you step into the shade, and suddenly you’re shivering. It’s classic Mediterranean climate behavior.
By the time we hit the end of next week—specifically Tuesday, January 27—the heat starts creeping back up toward 72°F. We’re basically seeing a bell curve of temperatures: warm now, a dip into the low 60s for the weekend, and a steady climb back up as we head toward February.
Real-World Action Steps
Don't just look at the high temperature and assume you're set for the day.
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Check the wind direction. If the forecast says "Northeast" or "East" winds, expect lower humidity and potentially higher fire danger, even in January. If the wind is coming from the "West" or "Southwest," that’s the ocean air trying to fight its way through the Newhall Pass. That usually brings the "May Gray" style clouds we're seeing on Wednesday and Thursday.
Keep an eye on that Thursday rain chance. 25% isn't much, but on our local roads, it’s enough to make the 5 freeway a nightmare.
Clean your gutters this week while it's 76 degrees and sunny. It's a lot easier to do it now than when that 25% chance turns into a 100% reality on a Thursday morning.
Pack a light jacket in the car. Seriously. With 30-degree drops at sunset, you’ll thank yourself when you’re leaving the grocery store at 6:00 PM and it feels like a completely different season than when you walked in.