Honestly, if you're looking at the 5-day forecast for Palm Springs California right now, you’re basically looking at the reason why everyone flees the rest of the country in January. It’s that weird, perfect window. The Coachella Valley is currently sitting in a sweet spot that feels more like an early May afternoon in the Midwest than mid-winter in the desert.
I’ve spent enough time in the low desert to know that "winter" here is a relative term. While the East Coast is likely scraping ice off windshields, Palm Springs is leaning into a run of days that hit the low 80s. But there’s a nuance to desert air that the raw numbers on your weather app don't always capture.
What the 5-Day Forecast for Palm Springs California Actually Means for Your Trip
Right now, the pattern is holding steady. We aren't seeing the erratic "atmospheric river" drama that sometimes plagues the California coast this time of year. Instead, it’s remarkably stable.
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For Friday, January 16, expect a high of 81°F. It’s sunny, it’s dry, and the humidity is sitting at a crisp 17%. That’s the kind of dry heat that makes 81°F feel like 75°F. However, don't let the daytime sun fool you. Once that sun dips behind the San Jacinto Mountains around 5:00 PM, the temperature drops fast. We're looking at a low of 59°F tonight.
As we move into the weekend, Saturday, January 17 brings a high of 80°F. It’ll be partly sunny, which actually makes for better hiking weather if you're planning to tackle the Museum Trail or head up to Joshua Tree. The low drops to 55°F.
Sunday, January 18 sees a slight dip to 76°F with a 10% chance of rain. In Palm Springs, 10% usually translates to "you might see a cloud that looks heavy," but rarely do you actually get wet. Still, the Southwest wind is light at 3 mph, so it’s going to feel very still.
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By Monday, January 19, we’re back to mostly sunny skies and a high of 79°F. Tuesday, January 20 rounds out the five-day stretch with a return to a solid 80°F.
The Temperature Swing: The Desert’s Best-Kept Secret
Most people check the 5-day forecast for Palm Springs California and pack nothing but shorts. That is a mistake.
The diurnal shift—that’s the fancy term for the swing between the daily high and the nightly low—is about 20 to 25 degrees this week. When you're at dinner on El Paseo or walking downtown, that 55°F low feels much colder because the air has no moisture to hold the heat. It’s a sharp, biting kind of cold that hits the moment the shadows stretch out.
Understanding the "Real Feel" in the Coachella Valley
The UV index is holding at a 3 (Moderate). Even though it's not 115°F like it is in July, that desert sun is direct. You’ll burn faster than you think.
- Wind Speeds: We’re looking at very calm conditions, mostly 3 to 5 mph. This is a relief. If you’ve ever been in Palm Springs when the winds kick up through the San Gorgonio Pass, you know it can turn a pool day into a sand-blasting session real quick.
- Cloud Cover: Expect "periodic clouds" at night. This is actually a win for stargazers—the air remains clear enough to see the Orion constellation clearly over the mountains.
Practical Steps for Navigating the Current Forecast
If you’re heading out there this week, stop overthinking the rain chance on Sunday. It’s negligible. Instead, focus on the logistics of a 25-degree temperature swing.
Pack in "Tiers"
Start with a base layer for the 80°F afternoons—linen is your friend here. But keep a genuine jacket, not just a light hoodie, in the car for after 5:00 PM. The transition from the afternoon high to the evening chill happens in about forty minutes.
Hydrate Beyond What You Feel
With humidity hovering between 14% and 19% this weekend, your body loses moisture through evaporation before you even realize you're sweating. If you're hiking the Indian Canyons, double your usual water intake.
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Watch the UV Index
A UV index of 3 is sneaky. It feels "mild," but for anyone with fair skin, 30 minutes of direct exposure at noon will leave a mark.
The 5-day forecast for Palm Springs California is essentially calling for "perfect" weather, provided you respect the desert's rules. It’s warm, it’s dry, and it’s predictably beautiful. Just remember that the desert is a land of extremes—even when the extremes are as pleasant as 81°F and 55°F.