Honestly, if you're looking at the 14 day forecast for Los Angeles California right now, you might think the atmosphere has lost its mind. One day you’re basically melting in 81°F heat, and the next, you’re hunting for that one heavy hoodie you buried in the back of the closet. That’s January in LA for you. It’s a weird, transitional month where the "winter" label feels like a total lie until the sun goes down.
Right now, we are sitting in a strange bubble. While the rest of the country is getting hammered by the polar vortex—we're talking single digits in Chicago—Los Angeles is coasting through a bizarrely warm stretch. But don't get too comfortable. The data shows a massive shift hitting the West Coast by the end of next week.
What the Next Two Weeks Actually Look Like
Most people see "sunny" on their phone app and assume it's beach weather. It isn't. Not really.
Today, Friday, January 16, we hit a high of 81°F. That is properly warm. It’s the kind of day where you see tourists at Santa Monica Pier in shorts while locals are still wearing light sweaters because we know the shadow-chill is real. But look at the trajectory. Tomorrow, Saturday, we’re looking at 79°F, then 76°F on Sunday. It’s a slow, deceptive slide.
By the time we hit next Thursday, January 22, the script flips. The high drops to 69°F, and the real story starts that night. We have a 75% chance of rain moving in. Friday the 23rd is looking even soggier, with a high of only 66°F and rain expected throughout the day. If you’ve lived here through a La Niña year, you know these late-January storms can be surprisingly punchy.
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The Weird Science Behind the Warmth
Why is it 80 degrees in the middle of January? Basically, we’ve been dealing with high pressure and offshore flow. You've probably heard of Santa Ana winds—they’re the reason the air feels so dry (humidity was down to 32% today). When that air pushes from the desert toward the coast, it heats up.
But the National Weather Service is tracking a "weak eddy" pushing marine stratus—that's the fancy word for low clouds—back toward Long Beach and the valleys. It’s a tug-of-war between the hot desert air and the cold Pacific. Usually, the ocean wins by the time February rolls around, which explains the cooling trend we’re about to experience.
Breaking Down the Temperature Swings
It helps to look at the day-to-night gap. It’s massive.
- Today: High of 81°F / Low of 52°F. That is a 29-degree swing.
- Next Friday: High of 66°F / Low of 55°F. The gap narrows as the clouds move in.
If you’re out at a Lakers game or grabbing dinner in Silver Lake, that 52°F low feels way colder than it sounds because of the humidity and the lack of "real" winter infrastructure in some of our outdoor spaces.
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Packing and Dressing Without Looking Like a Tourist
The absolute biggest mistake people make with the 14 day forecast for Los Angeles California is trusting the "High" temperature for their entire day.
You need layers. Not just "a shirt and a jacket," but a strategic system.
- The Base: A standard T-shirt. You'll need this between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
- The Middle: A light hoodie or a denim jacket. This is for the "shadow chill"—the moment you step out of the sun and the temperature feels like it drops 10 degrees instantly.
- The Shell: A windbreaker or a light puffer. Essential for after 5:30 PM.
And honestly, keep an umbrella in your car starting next Wednesday. We don't get rain often, but when it hits the 14-day outlook with a 75% probability, the 405 freeway becomes a parking lot and everyone forgets how to drive.
Why This Forecast Matters for Your Plans
If you're planning a trip to Disneyland or a hike up to the Griffith Observatory, aim for the early part of this forecast window. Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) are looking like the "Goldilocks" days—highs around 74°F to 76°F with zero percent chance of rain and clear skies.
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Once we hit the 22nd, outdoor plans become a gamble. The "showers rain" predicted for Friday the 23rd isn't just a drizzle; it’s likely to be the start of a cooler, wetter pattern that persists into the following week.
What Most People Get Wrong
There's a misconception that LA is "always sunny." While it's true we get about 7 hours of bright sunshine even in January, the UV index is actually pretty low right now (around a 2 or 3). You won't get a tan, but the sun is still bright enough to give you a headache if you aren't wearing shades.
Also, the ocean is freezing. The Pacific water temperature stays in the high 50s this time of year. Unless you have a thick 4/3mm wetsuit, don't plan on doing much more than dipping your toes in at Malibu.
Actionable Steps for the Next 14 Days
- Sun-Tue (Jan 18-20): These are your prime outdoor days. Go to the beach, hit the trails, or do the theme parks. It'll be "California Winter" at its best—sunny but not sweltering.
- Wed (Jan 21): This is your transition day. Start checking the radar. Humidity will begin to climb from the 30s into the 40s.
- Thu-Fri (Jan 22-23): Plan indoor activities. This is the time for the Getty Center, the Academy Museum, or just a long movie marathon. The rain chance is high enough that you should assume you'll get wet if you're outside.
- Packing Tip: If you're coming from the East Coast, don't just bring "summer clothes." Bring a "transitional" wardrobe. Think jeans, not shorts, and definitely bring closed-toe shoes.
The 14 day forecast for Los Angeles California shows a city caught between seasons. We're finishing a "winter heatwave" and heading into a standard rainy late-January. Just watch that Thursday night shift—it’s going to be the turning point for the rest of the month.