You've probably seen the photos. Influencers lounging in mid-century poolside chairs, oversized sunglasses reflecting a neon-blue sky, and not a cloud in sight. It looks like a permanent July. But if you’re planning a trip, there is a reality to Palm Springs weather in Jan that most travel brochures sort of gloss over.
It’s not "hot." Not in the way people usually mean when they talk about the California desert.
Honestly, January is a bit of a meteorological trickster. One minute you're sweating through a T-shirt on a hiking trail, and three hours later, you're shivering in a denim jacket wishing you’d packed a scarf. It’s glorious, sure, but it’s specific.
The Temperature Rollercoaster: Highs, Lows, and the "Shadow" Factor
Basically, January is the coldest month in the Coachella Valley. That sounds dramatic, but "cold" is relative. We’re talking about average daytime highs around 70°F to 74°F.
That is perfect weather. It’s the kind of temperature that makes people from Minnesota want to move here permanently. However, the desert is a dry heat—and more importantly, a dry cold. Because there is almost zero humidity to hold the heat in, the moment the sun dips behind the San Jacinto Mountains, the temperature doesn't just "drop." It plunges.
- Mid-day (12 PM - 3 PM): A balmy 72°F. You’re in shorts. Life is good.
- Sunset (around 5:00 PM): The shadows hit downtown. It’s now 58°F.
- Late Night/Early Morning: It can easily bottom out at 44°F or 45°F.
I’ve seen tourists walking down Palm Canyon Drive at 8:00 PM in sundresses, looking absolutely miserable. Don't be that person. The "mountain shadow" is real; since the peaks to the west are so high, the sun "sets" for the city much earlier than the official sunset time. Once that shade hits, the party's over for your Vitamin D.
Is it actually sunny?
Yes. Mostly. Palm Springs averages about 300+ days of sunshine a year, and January stays true to that. You’ll get about 10 to 11 hours of daylight. You might see a stray rain cloud—January and February are technically the "wet" months—but we’re talking about maybe 0.7 inches of rain for the whole month. If it rains, it’s usually a quick, dramatic burst that smells like creosote and then vanishes.
Palm Springs Weather in Jan vs. The Swimming Question
Can you swim? This is the $64,000 question.
The answer is: only if your hotel pays their gas bill.
Unless a pool is aggressively heated, the water temperature will be somewhere in the "polar plunge" category. Most of the big resorts like the Parker Palm Springs or The Saguaro keep their pools at a steady 82°F or higher. If you're booking an Airbnb, you better double-check that pool heat is included in the price. Sometimes hosts charge an extra $50 to $100 a day just to turn the heater on. Without it, the water will be about 55°F, which is basically liquid ice.
But sitting by the pool? That’s the dream. The January sun is strong enough to feel amazing on your skin without the "I’m being cooked alive" feeling you get in August.
Hiking, Golf, and Why Locals Love the Chill
While the "pool people" might find January a bit brisk, the "active people" think it’s the peak of the year. If you try to hike Tahquitz Canyon or the Museum Trail in July, you’re literally risking heatstroke. In January? It’s peak season.
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The Hiking Reality
The air is crisp. You can actually breathe. If you head up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, remember that it’s a totally different ecosystem at the top. While it’s 70°F at the valley floor, it might be 35°F and snowing at the Mountain Station (8,516 feet up). I’ve seen people board the tram in flip-flops and come back down looking like they survived a trek across the tundra.
Golfing Conditions
There is a reason the American Express Golf Tournament (formerly the Bob Hope Classic) happens in late January. The grass is overseeded and vibrant green, and the air is still. It’s the most expensive time to play for a reason. You aren't fighting the wind as much as you do in the spring, and the visibility is infinite.
What to Actually Pack (The Non-Influencer List)
You’ve got to dress like an onion. Layers.
- The Base: T-shirts or linen shirts for the afternoon.
- The Middle: A light hoodie or a "shacket."
- The Outer: A real jacket for the evening. Not a windbreaker—something with a bit of weight.
- The Feet: Sandals for the day, but actual socks and closed-toe shoes for the night.
If you’re doing VillageFest on a Thursday night, you will want jeans and a sweater. Trust me. The wind can whip through the valley corridors, and that desert air has a bite when the sun isn't there to fight it off.
Events That Shape the Month
The weather directly dictates the social calendar. Because it’s so mild, January is packed.
- Palm Springs International Film Festival: This happens in early to mid-January. You’ll see celebrities in trench coats and scarves. It’s a "winter fashion" vibe rather than a "beach" vibe.
- Modernism Week (Preview/Small Events): While the big one is in February, there are often architectural tours in Jan. Walking for three hours is easy when it's 68°F.
- The American Express (PGA Tour): Happening in La Quinta (just down the road). Expect crowds and perfect "spectator weather."
The "Dryness" Factor Nobody Mentions
It’s not just about the heat; it’s about the moisture—or lack thereof. January is dry. Your skin will feel it within 24 hours. Your nose might even get a little crusty (sorry, but it’s true).
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Hydration isn't just for the summer. You need to drink twice as much water as you think. Because the air is so dry, your sweat evaporates instantly, and you won't realize you’re getting dehydrated until the "desert headache" hits. Pack a heavy-duty moisturizer and some lip balm.
Is January Actually the Best Month to Visit?
If you hate the heat, yes.
If you want to come home with a deep tan and spend 8 hours a day in the water, maybe wait until May. January is for the person who wants to eat al fresco under a heat lamp, go for a 10-mile hike without dying, and see the mountains capped with snow while they stand next to a palm tree.
It’s a sophisticated kind of weather. It’s not "summer lite." It’s "desert winter," and once you understand the rhythm of the sun and the shadows, it’s arguably the most comfortable place on the planet.
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Your January Palm Springs Checklist
- Check Pool Heat: If staying at a rental, confirm the pool is heated to at least 80°F before you arrive.
- Book the Tram Early: If there’s snow at the top, tickets sell out fast.
- Dinner Reservations: Since everyone wants to eat at the same "comfortable" time (6 PM - 8 PM), restaurants fill up weeks in advance during the Film Fest.
- Sunscreen is still mandatory: Don't let the 70-degree air fool you; the UV index in the desert is high even in the dead of winter.
For your next move, you should look into the specific trail conditions if you're planning to hike, as some higher-elevation paths can be icy this time of year.