You think you know high desert weather? Most folks see "Palmdale" and "California" and assume it's basically a permanent vacation of tank tops and sunscreen. Honestly, if you’re packing for a trip or just trying to survive the next week in the Antelope Valley, that kind of thinking is going to leave you shivering by a space heater at 3:00 AM.
High desert living is a game of extremes. It's about layers. It's about knowing when the Santa Anas are going to kick up and when you actually need to worry about a "mostly cloudy" day turning into a legitimate downpour. Let's look at the palmdale 10 day weather and why the numbers on your phone screen don't always tell the full story.
The Reality of January in the Antelope Valley
Right now, we’re looking at a pretty classic January stretch. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’ve got a high of 67°F. Sounds great, right? That’s "shorts at the park" weather for most people. But the low is 34°F.
That is a 33-degree swing in a single day.
If you leave the house at noon in a light sweater, you’re going to be miserable by the time the sun dips behind the Sierra Pelona Mountains. The humidity is sitting around 38% today, which is dry but not "nosebleed dry"—at least not yet. The wind is coming out of the northeast at 9 mph, which adds just enough bite to make that 67 degrees feel a bit more like 60 in the shade.
Sunday and the Early Week Outlook
Sunday, January 18, is looking like a slightly cooler repeat. We're talking a high of 64°F and a low of 35°F. It’ll be partly sunny, though the nighttime brings "periodic clouds."
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Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) are the days to get your outdoor errands done. We’re hitting 66°F on Monday and 65°F on Tuesday with full-on sunny skies.
- Monday High: 66°F (Low: 35°F)
- Tuesday High: 65°F (Low: 32°F)
Notice that Tuesday night? That 32°F is the freezing mark. If you’ve got sensitive plants or a hose that’s still connected, that’s your warning shot.
When the Clouds Actually Move In
The middle of the week is when things get a little weird. Wednesday, January 21, stays steady with a high of 65°F, but the clouds start building up. By Thursday, January 22, the daytime stays "partly sunny" at 64°F, but the night is a different story.
The forecast shows 65% chance of showers on Thursday night.
A lot of people ignore a 65% chance, thinking it’ll just be a drizzle. In Palmdale, "showers rain" often means the moisture hitting the dry desert ground creates that specific petrichor smell, but it can also mean slick roads on the 14 Freeway. The low drops to 37°F, so it's going to be a cold, damp night.
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Friday, January 23, is the outlier of this palmdale 10 day weather cycle. The high drops significantly to 59°F. We’ve got a 35% chance of light rain during the day and a 25% chance at night. If you were planning on a Friday night out at the Palmdale Amphitheater area or hitting a local patio, you might want to move those plans indoors.
Wind: The Silent Palmdale Factor
You can't talk about Palmdale weather without talking about the wind. While the first few days of this forecast show light breezes (1–9 mph), the following weekend (January 24-25) sees a shift.
On Saturday, January 24, the wind jumps to 11 mph from the southwest. By Sunday, it hits 12 mph.
Now, 12 mph doesn't sound like a hurricane, but in the desert, a southwest wind usually means it’s blowing across the open valley floor. It picks up dust. It makes the 60°F or 62°F afternoon feel much colder than the thermometer suggests.
Looking Ahead to Monday, January 26
We wrap up this 10-day look with Monday, January 26. We're back to partly sunny skies and a high of 65°F. The low remains a chilly 39°F. It’s basically the desert’s way of saying "get used to it."
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Why These Numbers Matter for Your Routine
If you’re local, you know the "Palmdale coat" isn't a fashion statement; it's a survival tool. For those just visiting or new to the area, here’s the breakdown of how to handle this specific 10-day window:
- Hydrate anyway: Even when it’s 35 degrees at night, the air is dry. Your skin and your throat will feel it.
- The "Freeze Watch": Tuesday night is the coldest at 32°F. This is the night to bring the pets inside and double-check your irrigation.
- The Rain Gap: Thursday night into Friday is the only real moisture we’re seeing. It’s not a flood, but it’s enough to make the dust on your windshield turn into a muddy mess.
- Wind Prep: If you have patio furniture or light umbrellas, that second weekend with the 12 mph gusts is when things tend to "migrate" into your neighbor's yard.
Basically, the palmdale 10 day weather is showing a typical, somewhat mild January. No massive snow dumps or heatwaves, just the steady, swinging rhythm of the High Desert. Keep a hoodie in the car and maybe an umbrella for Friday, and you’ll be fine.
The smartest move you can make is to check the overnight lows before you set your thermostat. With these 30-plus degree swings, your HVAC system is going to be working overtime if you don't adjust for the sunny afternoons. Stick to the layers, watch the Tuesday freeze, and enjoy those 67-degree sunny spells while they last.
Actionable Insights for the Week:
- Tuesday Night: Protect outdoor pipes and plants; temps hit the freezing point (32°F).
- Thursday Night: Plan for rain; the 65% precipitation chance is the highest in this 10-day window.
- Layer Up: Expect an average daily temperature swing of 30°F—mornings require a heavy coat, but afternoons only need a light shirt.
- Secure the Yard: Southwest winds hit 12 mph by next Sunday; secure any loose patio décor by Saturday morning.