If you’ve lived in the San Fernando Valley for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up shivering in a hoodie, and by 2:00 PM, you’re regretting every life choice that didn't involve wearing shorts. Right now, Northridge is leaning hard into that classic "winter in the Valley" vibe. We aren't seeing the typical gray, drizzly January gloom you'd find in Seattle. Instead, Northridge is currently baking under a "January Thaw" that feels a lot more like late April.
Looking at the northridge weather 10 day forecast, the big takeaway is dry heat. Honestly, it’s a bit weird. Usually, January is our wettest month, averaging over three inches of rain. But this year? The sky is basically a desert.
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The 10-Day Breakdown: Sun, Wind, and Zero Rain
The upcoming week is looking incredibly consistent, which is great for outdoor plans but maybe a little concerning for our local reservoirs. Wednesday, January 14, is kicking things off with a high of 80°F. Yeah, you read that right. 80 degrees in the middle of January.
The temperatures aren't planning on dropping much either. Thursday and Friday are hovering around 78°F and 77°F. It’s sunny, it’s clear, and the UV index is hitting a 3. That’s moderate, so don’t skip the sunscreen if you’re heading over to the CSUN duck pond or hiking up at Limekiln Canyon.
By the weekend, we see a tiny bit of a shift. Saturday, January 17, brings in some "morning clouds"—that classic Valley marine layer that tries its best but usually burns off by noon. The high will dip slightly to 76°F.
Next week follows a similar script:
- Monday (Jan 19): 75°F with broken clouds.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): 76°F and sunny.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): 76°F.
- Thursday (Jan 22): 74°F.
We don't see any real cool-down until late next week, around January 27, where things might finally drop into the high 60s. But for the immediate 10-day window? It’s basically a heatwave by winter standards.
Why Northridge Feels Different Than "LA Weather"
People often lump Northridge in with the rest of Los Angeles, but that’s a mistake. We’re tucked into the corner of the Valley, and the geography here plays by its own rules.
While Santa Monica might be sitting at a breezy 65°F, the heat gets trapped against the Santa Susana Mountains. This creates a microclimate where we are consistently 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the coast.
Also, we have the wind. A Wind Advisory was actually in place through Wednesday afternoon. Those Santa Ana winds—or at least their weaker cousins—blow in from the north and northeast, drying everything out. The humidity right now is hovering around 20% to 24%. That’s dry. Your skin is probably feeling it, and the fire risk is always a background thought when the brush gets this crispy in mid-winter.
Misconceptions About January in the Valley
Most people assume winter means rain. In a normal year, they'd be right. Northridge usually sees about 4 to 5 "wet days" in January.
This year is a total outlier. Last week was the warmest start to January in nearly 40 years across the U.S., and the West Coast is leading that charge. Snowfall in the mountains is way down, and the rainfall in Northridge is effectively non-existent for this 10-day stretch.
Another thing: the "Low" temperatures. While the days are hot, the nights are still crisp. We’re looking at lows between 50°F and 56°F. It’s a 30-degree swing. That’s the "Valley Sandwich"—freezing at 6:00 AM, sweltering at 2:00 PM, and chilly again by dinner.
Practical Steps for the Next 10 Days
Since the northridge weather 10 day forecast is staying so warm and dry, you’ve got to adjust.
First, keep watering your plants. Since we aren't getting the seasonal rain, your garden is going to struggle. The evapotranspiration rates (how fast water leaves the soil) are higher than normal for January.
Second, watch the wind. If you’re driving a high-profile vehicle on the 118 or the 405 near the Getty, those gusts can still be tricky, even if the main advisory has expired.
Third, dress in layers. It sounds cliché, but when it's 51°F at sunrise and 80°F at lunch, a heavy coat is your enemy by noon.
Finally, keep an eye on the air quality. Dry, windy conditions in the Valley often kick up dust and allergens. If you've got asthma or sensitive sinuses, the next few days might be a bit rough.
Stay hydrated, keep the AC ready just in case, and enjoy the "winter" sun while it lasts.