If you’re checking the los angeles weather 20 days out, you’re probably expecting the classic "72 and sunny" postcard. Honestly, that’s usually a safe bet, but January 2026 is throwing us a bit of a curveball. While the rest of the country is digging out of snow, we’re sitting here in what feels like an accidental summer, at least for the first half of this forecast.
Right now, it is unseasonably warm. Like, "why is my AC running in January?" warm.
As of January 15, we are hitting highs of 81°F. That is a solid 10 to 15 degrees above what we usually see this time of year. Usually, a typical January day in LA hovers around 68°F. But thanks to some persistent high pressure and those dry Santa Ana winds whistling through the canyons, we’re basically living in a heatwave-lite.
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The 20-Day Breakdown: Sun, Winds, and a Chilly Shift
If you’ve got plans for the next week, you’re in luck, provided you like the heat. Through the weekend of January 17-18, things stay pretty toasty. Saturday looks like it’ll hit 77°F, and Sunday should stay right around that same mark. It's perfect beach weather, though the water is still a bracing 59°F, so maybe just stick to the sand.
But don’t get too comfortable in your flip-flops just yet.
The First 10 Days (Jan 15 - Jan 24)
This block is dominated by that dry, desert air. We’re looking at:
- Jan 15-16: Sunny and peaking at 81°F. It’s gorgeous, but keep an eye on the fire danger if you’re near the foothills.
- Jan 17-19: A very slight cooling trend begins. We’ll drop to the mid-70s. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan 19) is looking like a stellar 76°F day with mostly sunny skies.
- Jan 20-23: This is where the transition starts. By Tuesday, we’re looking at 75°F, sliding down to 64°F by the following Friday.
- The Rain Wildcard: There’s a tiny, roughly 20% chance of some light showers around January 23-24. Don't expect a washout, but you might actually need that jacket you’ve been ignoring.
The Second 10 Days (Jan 25 - Feb 3)
Looking further out toward the end of the month and into early February, the pattern shifts. We are currently in a La Niña Advisory phase. Traditionally, La Niña means a drier-than-normal winter for Southern California, but the atmosphere doesn't always read the script.
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Forecasters are seeing a 75% chance of a transition to "ENSO-neutral" conditions as we move through early 2026. Basically, the weather is trying to find its "normal" again. Expect the end of January to feel much more like actual winter—meaning highs in the mid-60s and lows dipping into the high 40s.
Why This Forecast Matters for Your Plans
Los Angeles is a city of microclimates. If the forecast says 81°F for "Los Angeles," that usually means the Downtown area. If you're heading to Santa Monica, knock 5-10 degrees off that number. If you're heading to the San Fernando Valley, add 5. It’s a weird quirk of our geography that catches a lot of people off guard.
Most people think LA winter is just "slightly less hot summer." That's a mistake. When the sun goes down in the desert-adjacent basin, the temperature craters. Even on an 80-degree day, the nights will still drop to 53°F.
What to Actually Pack
Since we're looking at a los angeles weather 20 days window that spans from high summer heat to chilly rain possibilities:
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- Light Layers: Think linen or light cotton for the day, but a denim jacket or hoodie is mandatory the second the sun drops behind the Santa Monica mountains.
- Sunscreen: The UV index is still hitting 2 or 3, which is low, but the 80-degree sun hits different when you aren't expecting it.
- Hydration: Those Santa Ana winds are incredibly dry. Your skin will feel it, and you’ll get dehydrated faster than you realize.
The Big Picture: Is "Rainy Season" Cancelled?
Honestly, sort of. While February is historically our wettest month (averaging about 3.1 inches of rain), the current outlook from the National Weather Service suggests we might stay on the drier side. The "stormiest" periods are projected for late January and late February, but with high pressure acting like a shield, most of those big Pacific storms are being pushed north toward Seattle and San Francisco.
We might see some "periodically cloudy" days around the 17th and 18th, but "cloudy" in LA usually just means "slightly less blindingly bright."
Actionable Next Steps for Your LA Trip
If you are tracking the los angeles weather 20 days out to plan a visit, here is how to play it:
- Book Outdoor Activities Now: If you want to hike Griffith Park or do a bike tour of Santa Monica, do it before January 21. You’ll have the best light and the most predictable temps.
- Monitor the Wind: If you see "Santa Ana" in the morning report, avoid the beaches. The wind blows the sand everywhere and makes it a pretty miserable experience. Head to the museums like the Getty or LACMA instead.
- Check the Lows: Don't just look at the high of 81°F and assume you don't need a coat. Check the 10:00 PM temperature. It's often a 30-degree difference.
Keep an eye on the local updates as we hit the 24th. That little rain chance is the only thing that could mess with your outdoor dinner reservations. Otherwise, enjoy the "winter" heatwave while it lasts.
Data Source: National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center, and Google Weather data for Los Angeles, CA. Current as of Jan 15, 2026.