Long Beach is a bit of a trickster. You look at the postcards—palm trees, neon-blue water, and people in bikinis—and you assume it’s a year-round tropical paradise. But if you’re staring at the 30 day weather forecast long beach right now, specifically for mid-January into February 2026, you might be seeing something a little less "Baywatch" and a little more "bring a jacket."
Honestly, the weather here is famously predictable until it suddenly isn't. We are currently navigating a weird transition. A La Niña pattern has been hanging around like an uninvited guest, but the experts at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center say it’s finally packing its bags. We’re moving into what’s called "ENSO-neutral" territory.
What does that actually mean for your weekend plans at Shoreline Village? It means the atmosphere is a bit of a wild card.
Why the 30 day weather forecast long beach is looking chilly (for us)
If you’re from Chicago, you’ll laugh. If you’re a local, you’re probably already wearing a North Face puffer. For the rest of January 2026, Long Beach is settling into a pattern of highs around 65°F (18°C) and lows that dip into the high 40s (around 8°C or 9°C).
It’s the "dry cold" that surprises people.
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The sun feels great at noon. You’ll be tempted to shed the layers. But the second that sun drops behind the Palos Verdes peninsula, the temperature cratering is real. Because we’re right on the water, the humidity makes that 50-degree night air feel like it’s seeping into your bones.
The Rainy Reality
Historically, January and February are the wettest months for the 90802 zip code. This year, the long-range outlook suggests we might see about 3 inches of rain total for the month.
Don't expect week-long monsoons. Usually, it’s a heavy dump for 48 hours followed by five days of the most crisp, blue skies you’ve ever seen. The "Rainy periods" predicted for late January (specifically the 19th through the 23rd) look like they could be heavy. If you’re planning on visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific, that’s your window to stay indoors.
The King Tide Factor
Something most tourists—and even some locals—completely miss in the 30 day weather forecast long beach is the tide schedule. We just saw some significant coastal flooding earlier this month thanks to King Tides.
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When you combine a high astronomical tide with a storm surge from the North Pacific, the Peninsula area and parts of the bike path can turn into a lake. If the forecast calls for "Showers" and "High Surf," stay off the jetties. Sneaker waves are no joke. They can literally pull a grown adult off the rocks in a second.
Can you actually swim right now?
Short answer: No. Long answer: Only if you’re a local "Polar Bear" or have a very thick 4/3mm wetsuit.
The sea temperature in Long Beach right now is hovering around 58°F to 59°F. That is cold. Like, "take your breath away" cold. Most of the surfers you see at the breakwater are fully hooded and booted.
If you just want to walk the beach, the sand is actually great this time of year because the crowds are gone. Just watch out for the wind. The afternoon breeze off the harbor can be relentless, usually clocking in around 11 mph. It’s the kind of wind that turns a pleasant walk into a struggle to keep your hat on.
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Surviving the Long Beach "Winter"
You’ve got to dress in stages. Start with a t-shirt because the sun is strong (UV index is still a 3 or 4, enough for a burn if you’re fair-skinned). Add a hoodie. Keep a real jacket in the car.
People always ask if they should cancel their trip if the 30 day weather forecast long beach shows rain. Honestly, don't. Rain in Long Beach usually clears the smog, leaving the air smelling like salt and jasmine. Plus, the sunsets after a storm are the best you’ll see all year. The clouds catch the light in a way that looks like the sky is literally on fire.
What to actually do based on the current outlook:
- Jan 19-23: This is the "Rainy periods" window. Plan for indoor activities. Head to the Long Beach Museum of Art or do a deep dive into the shops at 4th Street Retro Row.
- Late January (24-31): Forecast says "Sunny but chilly." This is prime hiking weather. Head over to El Dorado Nature Center. The dirt paths won't be as dusty, and the turtles will be out sunning on the logs.
- Early February: We’re looking at a warming trend. Highs might hit the low 70s. This is your window for the Swan Boats at Rainbow Lagoon.
The biggest mistake people make is trusting a single "number" on a weather app. In a coastal city like Long Beach, the microclimates are insane. It can be 72°F in Lakewood and 64°F at the Belmont Pier. Always look at the wind direction; if it's coming off the water (onshore), subtract five degrees from whatever your phone tells you.
Your 30-Day Action Plan
If you are currently looking at the 30 day weather forecast long beach to plan a trip, here is the move:
- Check the Tide Tables: If you’re staying on the Peninsula or near the canals, look for high tides over 6.5 feet. If it’s raining at the same time, move your car to higher ground.
- Book Indoor Backups: Make a reservation for the Queen Mary’s 5,000-year-old ghost tour or the Aquarium for those projected rainy days in the third week of January.
- Pack for "Vegas Nights": It sounds weird, but treat Long Beach like the desert in winter. Warm days, freezing nights.
- Monitor the "Pacific Pineapple Express": Keep an eye on the news for any mentions of an atmospheric river. If one of those is aimed at SoCal, the "3 inches of rain" forecast will be eclipsed in a single afternoon.
The weather is shifting toward a more "neutral" state, which means we’re losing the predictable dry spell of La Niña. Expect more variability. It might be a little messy, but that’s just the coast doing its thing.