Checking the window in Los Angeles is a gamble lately. You might see a piercing blue sky that looks like a postcard from 1995, or you might find yourself staring at a grey, oppressive ceiling of clouds that feels more like Seattle than the Southland. So, did it rain in LA today? As of Friday, January 16, 2026, the short answer for most of the basin is no. We are currently sitting under a ridge of high pressure that has effectively blocked the moisture plumes we saw earlier in the week. But if you’re up in the San Gabriel Mountains or trekking through the high elevations of the Angeles National Forest, you probably saw some mist or light drizzle during the early morning hours. That’s the thing about Los Angeles weather—it’s never just one thing. The "microclimate" talk isn't just something realtors say to make a neighborhood sound fancy; it’s a physical reality dictated by the literal wall of mountains surrounding the city.
Why the Rain in LA is Getting Harder to Predict
If you feel like the local meteorologists are getting it wrong more often, you aren't imagining things. Weather patterns in 2026 have become increasingly erratic due to the lingering effects of a shifting jet stream. Traditionally, we look at the "Pineapple Express"—that atmospheric river that drags moisture from Hawaii—to tell us when we’re going to get soaked.
But nowadays?
It’s messy.
Dr. Lucy Jones and various climate researchers at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability have pointed out for years that California is swinging between "weather whiplash" extremes. We go from record-breaking droughts to atmospheric rivers that dump a year's worth of rain in three days. Today’s dry spell is just a breather. National Weather Service (NWS) data from the Oxnard station shows that while the coast is dry today, the humidity levels remain unusually high for January, hovering around 65%.
The Marine Layer vs. Actual Rainfall
A lot of people wake up, see the sidewalk is wet, and tell their coworkers it rained. Usually, it didn't.
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What you're seeing is the "marine layer." This occurs when cool, moist air from the Pacific Ocean gets trapped under a layer of warmer air. It’s an inversion. The moisture condenses on the ground, making it look like a light shower passed through at 4:00 AM.
Real rain—the kind that actually moves the needle on the Santa Monica or Long Beach rain gauges—requires a low-pressure system to move in and force that air upward. Today, we simply didn't have the lift. The barometric pressure is too high.
What the "Rain Today" Means for Your Commute
Traffic in LA is a nightmare on a sunny day. Add three drops of water to the 405, and it becomes a parking lot.
Even though it didn't rain significantly in the city today, the leftover dampness from yesterday’s humidity has kept the "road grime" factor high. For the uninitiated: LA roads go months without water. During those dry spells, oil, rubber bits, and engine coolant build up on the asphalt. When it finally gets damp—even just a mist—that oil floats. It’s basically a skating rink.
If you're driving through the Sepulveda Pass or taking the 110 into DTLA, you’ve probably noticed people hitting their brakes for no reason. They're scared. And honestly? They should be.
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- Check your tire tread. Seriously.
- If your wipers are squeaking, they’re dry-rotted from the sun. Replace them before the next actual storm hits on Tuesday.
- Turn on your headlights. Not for you to see, but so the guy in the grey Tesla behind you can see you through the morning haze.
The Snow Situation in the Mountains
While it stayed dry in Hollywood and Silver Lake, the higher elevations are a different story. The "snow line" has been hovering around 6,000 feet this week.
Mount Baldy and Wrightwood have seen some light dusting. If you’re heading up for a weekend ski trip, keep in mind that "no rain in LA" doesn't mean "no ice on the 2." Caltrans often issues chain requirements even when the sun is out in Pasadena because of black ice in the shadows of the canyons.
The Drought Status and Why We Still Need More
It’s easy to get frustrated with the grey skies, but every time someone asks did it rain in LA today, there’s a subtext of hope for our reservoirs.
California’s water system is a complex beast. We rely on the Sierra Nevada snowpack for about 30% of our water. Local rain in the LA basin helps keep our lawns green without tapping into the State Water Project, but it doesn't solve the long-term deficit. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Southern California is currently in a "Moderate" state. We need those heavy, multi-day soakings to penetrate the parched soil and refill the aquifers.
Today’s lack of rain isn't great news for the fire season, which, let's be real, is now year-round. Dry Januaries lead to "brown-up" in the hills by May.
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Looking Ahead: When is the Next Storm?
The GFS (Global Forecast System) and European weather models are currently diverging on what happens next week.
Some models suggest a "cutoff low" will sit off the coast of Baja, spinning moisture into San Diego and eventually creeping up to LA by Tuesday night. Others show it drifting harmlessly into the desert. If you’re planning an outdoor event at Griffith Park this weekend, you’re likely safe. The high-pressure ridge is holding strong through Sunday.
But keep an eye on the sky starting Monday afternoon. The clouds will start to thicken, and the wind will pick up from the south—a classic precursor to a real SoCal drenching.
Actions You Should Take Right Now
Since it didn't rain today, you have a window of opportunity. Don't waste it.
- Clean your gutters. Most LA homes are surrounded by jacarandas or eucalyptus trees. Those leaves turn into a concrete-like sludge when wet, which will back up the water under your shingles.
- Check the drains in your yard. If you have a "French drain" or just a PVC pipe leading to the street, make sure a spider hasn't built a fortress in there.
- Update your weather apps. Don't just rely on the default one. Download something like Windy or MyRadar. They give you the actual Doppler feed so you can see the rain cells moving in real-time.
- Adjust your sprinklers. If it rained yesterday or is even slightly damp today, turn your irrigation system off. Overwatering in high humidity is a fast track to root rot for your succulents.
Los Angeles weather is a game of inches and elevations. While the ground might be dry under your feet in Santa Monica right now, the clouds are churning just offshore. Stay prepared, keep an umbrella in the trunk (even if you haven't used it in six months), and enjoy the break from the gloom while it lasts. For now, the city remains dry, dusty, and waiting for the next big one.
Next Steps for Staying Dry:
Monitor the National Weather Service Oxnard social media feeds for immediate "Nowcasting" updates. If you see a "Special Weather Statement" regarding a coastal eddy, expect morning drizzle despite what your iPhone's sun icon says. Check your local "Zone Forecast" rather than just looking at "Los Angeles" as a whole, as weather in the Valley rarely matches weather at the beach.