You’ve seen the postcards. Those endless summer shots where everyone is in a bikini and the sun is blinding. But honestly, if you're looking at the 10-day weather forecast Newport Beach California right now in mid-January, things look a little different. It’s actually kinda nice, but in a "bring a light jacket" sort of way.
The sky is hanging onto some cloud cover today, Saturday, January 17th. We’re looking at a high of 74°F. That’s actually a bit warmer than the typical 65°F January average for this area, but don't let it fool you into thinking it's tropical. By the time the sun starts dipping toward the Pacific, it’s going to drop down to a crisp 55°F.
Basically, it's classic Southern California winter.
What the next week actually looks like
If you're planning a trip or just trying to figure out if you can finally wash your car, the window is opening up. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18th, is going to be mostly sunny with a high of 72°F and a low of 54°F. It’s the kind of day where the Balboa Fun Zone actually feels fun because you aren't sweating through your shirt.
💡 You might also like: Wingate by Wyndham Columbia: What Most People Get Wrong
Then we hit a string of pure sun. Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) are looking glorious. We’re talking 69°F to 70°F with nothing but blue sky. It’s perfect for a walk on the pier, though the wind will be coming in light from the southwest at about 4 to 5 mph.
Here is the quick breakdown of the numbers you actually care about:
- Saturday (Today): Cloudy, high of 74°F, low of 55°F. 10% chance of a stray sprinkle.
- Sunday: Mostly sunny, high of 72°F. Still that 10% rain chance during the day.
- Monday: Pure sun. High 69°F, low 54°F.
- Tuesday: Sunny again. High 70°F.
- Wednesday: Sunny start, but clouds move in at night. High 68°F.
- Thursday - Sunday: We start cooling off into the low 60s (around 62°F to 65°F) with mostly cloudy skies and slightly higher humidity (up to 75%).
The water situation (It’s cold, guys)
Don't trust the air temperature when it comes to the ocean. Even though the air feels like a mild spring day, the sea temperature at Newport Beach is sitting at roughly 61°F.
📖 Related: Finding Your Way: The Sky Harbor Airport Map Terminal 3 Breakdown
Sure, that's technically 2.7°F warmer than the historical average for this time of year, but 61°F is still "ice cream headache" territory if you dive in without neoprene. If you’re planning to surf, you’ll definitely want a 4/3mm wetsuit. The waves are currently tiny—around 1 to 2 feet and "glassy"—so it's more of a longboard or "log" kind of week anyway.
Why the "Marine Layer" matters
People always forget about the marine layer. In Newport, the humidity jumps from about 47% today to 75% by next Saturday. That means you’ll get that thick, salty mist in the mornings. It’s not exactly rain, but it’ll make your hair go wild and the pavement feel damp.
The UV index is also staying low, peaking around a 3 on the sunniest days. You should still wear sunscreen—the reflection off the water is no joke—but you aren't going to bake like you would in August.
👉 See also: Why an Escape Room Stroudsburg PA Trip is the Best Way to Test Your Friendships
Getting the most out of the forecast
Since the weather is cooling down toward the end of next week (dropping to 62°F by Friday), front-load your outdoor activities.
Go to Crystal Cove or the Wedge early in the week while the sun is out and the wind is low. By next weekend, January 24th and 25th, it’s going to feel much more like "real" winter with mostly cloudy skies and highs that barely break 62°F.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Pack in layers: The 20-degree swing between day and night (74°F to 55°F) is the "Newport Tax."
- Check the tides: If you’re walking the tide pools at Little Corona, Monday morning has great sunny visibility.
- Wetsuit up: If you're hitting the water, don't even try it in board shorts unless you're looking for a very short, very cold experience.