Honestly, if you're looking at the Palm Springs 14 day weather and seeing nothing but 80-degree highs, you might think you’ve accidentally pulled up a forecast for July. You haven't. This is just January in the Coachella Valley behaving like a complete overachiever.
While the rest of the country is digging out of snowbanks, Palm Springs is basically showing off. But don't let those mid-afternoon numbers fool you into packing only swimsuits. Desert weather is a bit of a trickster. It has these wild mood swings the second the sun ducks behind the San Jacinto Mountains.
The Current 14-Day Vibe: Sun, Heat, and Zero Clouds
Right now, we are sitting in a massive ridge of high pressure. According to local meteorologist Jerry Steffen and recent data from the Palm Springs International Airport, we're tracking temperatures that are about 10 to 12 degrees above the seasonal "normal."
Here is the breakdown of what the next two weeks actually look like on the ground:
👉 See also: 3000 Yen to USD: What Your Money Actually Buys in Japan Today
- The Immediate Peak: Wednesday, January 14, and Thursday, January 15, are going to be absolute scorchers for this time of year. We are looking at highs of 81°C and 79°C, respectively.
- The Weekend Outlook: Saturday, January 17, holds onto that heat with another 81°C high. It’s perfect pool weather, provided you have a heated pool because the water gets chilly at night.
- The Shift: By the time we hit next Friday, January 23, things start to "cool off"—if you can call 71°C cool.
It's essentially a parade of "Partly Sunny" and "Mostly Sunny" days. Rain? Forget about it. The chance of precipitation is hovering at a measly 0% to 5% for the entire forecast block. It’s dry. Really dry. Humidity is bottoming out at around 16% to 22%, so keep that lip balm handy.
What Most People Get Wrong About January Weather
People see a Palm Springs 14 day weather forecast and assume "warm" means "warm all the time." That is a rookie mistake.
The diurnal temperature swing here is aggressive. On a day like today, Tuesday, January 13, you have a high of 78°C. But look at the low: 57°C. That’s a 20-degree drop the moment the sky turns orange. If you’re out at a late dinner on Palm Canyon Drive, you will go from sweating in a T-shirt to shivering in a light jacket before the appetizers arrive.
✨ Don't miss: The Eloise Room at The Plaza: What Most People Get Wrong
The Wind Factor
The wind is currently behaving, staying around 3 to 5 mph coming from the southwest or northwest. However, in Palm Springs, wind can be a dealbreaker. The valley acts like a funnel. If those speeds kick up to 15 or 20 mph, that "perfect" 75-degree day starts to feel like a grit-filled sandblasting session. Luckily, the current 14-day window looks incredibly calm.
Packing for the 14-Day Forecast
If you’re heading out here this week, your suitcase needs to be a masterpiece of layers.
- Midday (11 AM - 3 PM): This is your summer window. Shorts, linen shirts, and heavy-duty sunscreen. The UV index is hitting a 3, which is moderate, but the desert sun hits different.
- Evening (5 PM - 10 PM): This is "Chilly Desert" time. A denim jacket or a light cashmere sweater is mandatory.
- Early Morning (Pre-Sunrise): If you're hiking the Indian Canyons at 7 AM, you’ll want a windbreaker. It’s often in the high 40s or low 50s before the sun clears the peaks.
Why This Forecast Matters for Your Plans
This specific stretch of weather is basically the "Goldilocks" zone for outdoor activities. Usually, January can be hit-or-miss with some "Rainy periods" as noted by the Old Farmer’s Almanac, but this 2026 window is ignoring the rules.
🔗 Read more: TSA PreCheck Look Up Number: What Most People Get Wrong
If you're planning to visit the Moorten Botanical Garden or hike the South Lykken Trail, do it now. The "cooler" highs of 71°C to 73°C predicted for the end of next week (around Jan 22-23) are actually the best for long-distance trekking. Hiking in 81-degree heat with 16% humidity is a recipe for dehydration if you aren't careful.
The Reality Check
Is this "normal"? Not really. The historical average high for mid-January is usually closer to 69°F or 70°F. Seeing a string of 80s means the desert is entering a mini-heatwave.
While it's great for the Coachella Valley tourism, it means the San Jacinto mountains aren't getting that snow capping that makes the backdrop so iconic this time of year. You’ll see rocky peaks instead of white ones.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the wind daily: Even if the temperature is 80, a 20mph gust from the north makes poolside lounging impossible.
- Hydrate now: Start drinking water before you feel thirsty; the 20% humidity will suck the moisture right out of you.
- Book golf early: This weather is a magnet for golfers, and tee times will be non-existent with this forecast.