You’ve probably seen it a million times. You wake up in Long Beach, look out the window, and see a wall of gray. It looks like it’s about to pour, so you cancel the morning bike ride and settle in with a second cup of coffee. Then, like magic, by 11:00 AM, the sun is blazing and you’re sweating in your hoodie.
Basically, the long beach weather hour by hour is a game of cat and mouse between the Pacific Ocean and the inland heat. If you don't know the rules, you're going to dress wrong every single time.
The Morning Struggle and the Marine Layer
Right now, if you’re looking at the current conditions for Saturday, January 17, 2026, it’s about 54°F and cloudy. That’s standard for a winter morning here. People call it "May Gray" or "June Gloom," but honestly, the marine layer doesn't care what month it is. It shows up whenever it wants.
A marine layer is just cool, moist air trapped under a lid of warm air. It’s like the ocean is breathing on the city. Today, we’ve got a northeast wind at a tiny 3 mph, which isn't enough to blow that "blanket" away early. You’ve just gotta wait for the sun to burn it off.
Why the Forecast Says 10% Rain
You'll see a 10% chance of rain on the hourly today. Don't go buying an umbrella. In Long Beach speak, 10% usually means "it might be a little misty while you're walking to your car." The humidity is sitting at 52% right now, which is comfortable, but it keeps that "damp" feeling in the air until the sun breaks through.
The Midday Pivot: When to Shed the Layers
Around noon is when things get interesting. Today’s high is hitting 73°F. That’s a nearly 20-degree jump from the morning low of 54°F. If you’re out at Shoreline Village or Belmont Shore, you’ll notice the wind shift. Usually, it starts coming from the northwest, picking up to about 7 mph.
This is the "sweet spot."
The UV index is low today—only a 1—so you aren't going to crisp like a potato chip, but it's still bright. The cloud cover is expected to stick around in some capacity all day, but "cloudy" in Southern California often means "high, thin veils of white" rather than a dark, stormy sky.
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Hourly Expectations for Saturday
- 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Gray, 54°F-58°F. The "sweater and coffee" phase.
- 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: The breakthrough. Temps climb into the mid-60s and hit that 73°F peak.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Golden hour begins. The northwest breeze stays steady.
- 6:00 PM onwards: Back to the mid-50s. The ocean starts cooling everything down again.
Why Long Beach Weather Is Different from LA
I’ve heard people say, "Oh, it’s 85 in LA today, let's go to the beach!" Bad move. Long Beach is often 10 to 15 degrees cooler than downtown Los Angeles or the Valley. We have the harbor. We have the breakwater.
The water temperature in January usually hovers in the high 50s. That massive body of cold water acts like a natural air conditioner. If you’re planning your long beach weather hour by hour itinerary, always check the wind direction. A northwest wind (like we have today) usually brings that crisp, clean air. A Santa Ana wind from the east? That’s when it gets weirdly hot and dusty.
Real Talk on What to Wear
Don't be the person in a tank top at 8:00 AM. You'll regret it.
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I’ve lived through enough of these "cloudy" Saturdays to know that the only way to survive is the three-layer system. A base tee, a light hoodie, and maybe a windbreaker if you're near the water. By 1:00 PM, that windbreaker is going to be tied around your waist. By 6:00 PM, you’ll be digging it back out of the car.
Actionable Tips for Your Day
If you want to beat the crowds and the weird weather shifts, follow these steps:
- Hit the beach trails early if you like the cool air for running, but wait until at least 11:30 AM if you actually want to see the blue water.
- Watch the wind speed. If it’s over 10 mph, it’s going to feel much colder than the thermometer says, especially near the Queen Mary.
- Check the humidity. On days like today where it’s 37% to 52%, it’s "dry" for a coastal city. You won't feel that sticky salt air as much.
- Plan indoor stuff for the morning. Hit the Aquarium of the Pacific or a museum while the marine layer is thick. Save the Swan Boats at Rainbow Lagoon for the 2:00 PM window.
The long beach weather hour by hour is predictable once you realize the sun is the only thing that can win the fight against the Pacific moisture. Today is going to be a mild, cloudy-but-warm 73°F day. Perfect for a walk, just keep the jacket handy.