It is that weird time of year in Southern California. You wake up and it’s freezing, or at least L.A. freezing, which basically means you’re hunting for a hoodie and wondering if the heater actually works. Then by 2:00 PM, you’re sweating through your shirt because the sun decided to blast the pavement like it's mid-July. Honestly, los angeles weather for the week is looking like a classic study in contrast. We aren't seeing the apocalyptic rain we had back in early January, but don't let the clear blue skies fool you into thinking winter is over.
If you are planning your life between now and next Tuesday, you've gotta be strategic. We are currently sitting in a high-pressure "bubble" that's pushing temperatures way above the January norm. While the rest of the country is digging out of snow, we are looking at highs flirting with the 80s.
The Heat Peak and the Santa Ana Factor
Most people assume January in L.A. is just endless rain and gloomy "May Gray" style clouds. Kinda wrong. This week is a prime example of the offshore flow—often driven by those Santa Ana winds—that kicks up the heat.
The National Weather Service out in Oxnard has been tracking a ridge of high pressure that’s basically acting as a bodyguard, blocking any cold storms from the Gulf of Alaska. Because of this, Wednesday and Thursday are going to be the "scorchers." We are looking at highs around 81°F to 82°F in the valleys and even the downtown basin.
- Wednesday, Jan 14: High of 81°F. Mostly sunny.
- Thursday, Jan 15: High of 82°F. Still sunny, maybe a few high-altitude wisps.
- Friday, Jan 16: High of 79°F. Still warm, but the offshore wind starts to relax.
The weird part? The humidity is tanking. When the air comes off the desert, it’s bone dry. You’ll notice your skin getting itchy and the static electricity when you touch a doorknob is going to be real. It's not just "warm"; it's that dry, crisp heat that makes the San Fernando Valley feel like a literal oven even when the calendar says it's winter.
Why Nighttime is a Totally Different Story
Here is what really trips up tourists and even long-time locals. Just because it’s 82°F at noon doesn’t mean you can go out in shorts at 8:00 PM. The "diurnal shift"—which is just a fancy way of saying the temp swing—is brutal this week.
Once that sun dips behind the Santa Monica Mountains, the temperature is going to crater. We are talking about drops of 25 to 30 degrees in just a few hours. Lows are hovering between 53°F and 60°F. If you’re at the beach, like Santa Monica or Malibu, it’ll feel even sharper because of the damp ocean air creeping back in.
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It’s the classic L.A. uniform season: t-shirt under a light jacket, which is under a heavier coat that stays in the trunk of your car. You’ve basically got to dress like an onion. Peel the layers off as the sun climbs, and put them back on the second you see the sunset.
Is the Rain Coming Back?
I know everyone is nervous about the atmospheric rivers. We already had a wet start to 2026, with Los Angeles recording over 13 inches of rain since October. That is way above the average of 4 inches for this time of year. The ground is still pretty saturated in places like Topanga and the Hollywood Hills.
The good news? For los angeles weather for the week, the "rain door" is mostly shut.
The UCLA Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences team noted that while long-range models showed a storm hitting by the 17th, that has been pushed back. Most meteorologists are now looking at January 21st or 22nd for the next real chance of a pattern shift. Even then, it looks like light showers rather than the "houses-sliding-down-hills" kind of rain we saw a few weeks ago.
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But, and this is a big "but," the long-range forecast from the Climate Prediction Center suggests that La Niña is starting to weaken. This transition to "ENSO-neutral" usually makes the weather hard to predict. It could mean a very dry February, or it could mean one massive, random storm that makes up for the dry spell. For now, enjoy the dry pavement.
How to Handle the "False Spring"
Since it's going to stay dry and warm through the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, you should probably take advantage of it. However, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding your health and your home.
- Hydrate more than you think. This dry air sucks the moisture right out of you.
- Watch the fire risk. Even though we had rain recently, the Santa Ana winds dry out the light brush incredibly fast. One spark in the canyons can still be a problem.
- Check your plants. If you planted new stuff during the rains, this sudden 80-degree heat will shock them. Give them some extra water in the evenings.
- UV index is surprisingly high. Don't forget the sunscreen just because it's January. The sun is lower in the sky, but it’s still hitting those exposed Westside beaches hard.
The weekend (Saturday and Sunday) will stay very consistent. We’re looking at highs in the upper 70s with some morning marine layer clouds finally making a comeback. It’ll feel a bit more like "normal" California weather and less like a desert heatwave.
Actionable Steps for the Days Ahead
Don't let the sunny forecast catch you off guard. If you’re commuting or planning outdoor activities, here is how to play it:
- Audit your car kit: Make sure you have a real jacket in there. The drop from 82°F to 55°F at 6:00 PM is enough to catch a cold if you're stuck outside.
- Plan outdoor workouts early: If you're hiking Runyon or Griffith Park, hit the trails before 10:00 AM. By noon, those south-facing slopes are going to be radiating heat.
- Monitor the wind: If you live in wind-prone areas like Fontana or the Cajon Pass (if you're heading out of town), keep an eye on high-profile vehicle advisories. The gusts can still hit 40 mph even when it's sunny.
- Check your HVAC filters: If you're running the AC for the first time in months to combat the 82-degree highs, make sure the filters aren't clogged with dust from the dry season.
The takeaway for los angeles weather for the week is simple: it's beautiful, but it's a bit of a lie. The heat is temporary, the nights are cold, and the rain is just taking a breather. Enjoy the sun while it lasts, because by the end of next week, we’ll likely be looking for our umbrellas again.