Honestly, people hear "January in Southern California" and they think one of two things: it's either a permanent 75-degree postcard or it's that weird, frantic week where the sky falls and every drain on the I-5 overflows.
But right now? It's basically a desert dream. If you were looking for an excuse to stay inside and watch the rain hit the window, you're out of luck. Is it raining in San Diego today? Nope. Not even close.
The current vibe on the ground
As of Tuesday, January 13, 2026, the sky is completely clear. It’s that deep, crisp blue you only get when the humidity drops and the Santa Ana winds have recently done their thing.
Right now, the temperature is sitting at a cool 41°F in the early morning hours, but don't let that fool you. It’s going to warm up fast. We're looking at a high of 75°F today. That’s about 10 degrees warmer than the "average" January day, which usually hovers around 65°F.
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The air is dry—humidity is around 25%—so if your skin feels a bit tight, that's why. It's the classic San Diego winter trade-off: freezing when the sun goes down, but literal "shorts and a t-shirt" weather by lunch.
Why everyone thinks it rains more than it does
There's this common misconception that January is the "wet month." And yeah, statistically, it's one of our rainiest. But "rainy" in San Diego is a relative term. On average, we only get about five or six days of actual rain in the entire month.
We actually started the year with some heavy activity—some areas saw over two inches on New Year's Day—but that system cleared out. Since then, it’s been nothing but sun.
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The National Weather Service is showing a 0% chance of precipitation for today and tomorrow. In fact, the "rainy periods" the Farmers' Almanac predicted for mid-January seem to be pushed off. We might see a tiny 10% blip of a shower around January 21, but for the immediate future, your umbrella is just taking up space in the closet.
What to actually expect this week
If you're planning a trip to Balboa Park or trying to hit the Torrey Pines trails, you've picked the perfect window.
- Today (Tuesday): High of 75°F, clear skies, and a light north wind at 6 mph.
- Wednesday: Even warmer. We're hitting 77°F.
- The Weekend: It looks like we’ll peak around 81°F on Saturday.
It’s worth noting that while the East Coast is currently dealing with a massive Arctic surge (people in the Midwest are literally seeing temps in the single digits), San Diego is essentially acting as a heat island.
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A quick reality check on the "winter"
Is it always like this? Kinda. But the nights are the part no one tells the tourists about. While 75°F feels amazing at 2:00 PM, the temperature will plummet to 42°F tonight.
That’s a 33-degree swing.
If you're heading out to dinner in Little Italy or the Gaslamp, you’ll see the locals in puffy jackets and beanies. We aren't being dramatic; when the humidity is this low, the heat just evaporates the second the sun dips behind the Point Loma peninsula.
Actionable insights for San Diegans today
Since the rain is a no-show, here is how to handle the current conditions:
- Water your plants: With the humidity hovering at 25% and zero rain in the forecast for the next week, your garden is going to get crispy fast. Don't wait for a storm that isn't coming.
- Layers are mandatory: Wear the t-shirt, but bring the hoodie. You will need both within a four-hour window.
- Check your tires: Even though it isn't raining, the huge temperature fluctuations can mess with your tire pressure (the TPMS light is basically the official light of San Diego winters).
- Sunscreen is still a thing: The UV index is a 3 today. It’s moderate, but if you’re out hiking Cowles Mountain for two hours, you’ll still catch a burn in this clear air.
The bottom line is that the "winter" rain we usually expect this time of year is currently on hiatus. Enjoy the 75-degree Tuesday; it’s basically a gift from the weather gods before the next real Pacific front eventually decides to show up.