You think you know the vibe in Long Beach. It’s Southern California, right? Sun, surf, and that eternal 72-degree promise everyone sees on postcards. Honestly, though, the temperature in Long Beach is a bit of a trickster. It doesn’t just sit at one number. If you’re standing on the sand at Juniper Beach, you’re in a different world than someone sitting in traffic near the 405.
The ocean is the boss here. It acts like a giant, liquid thermostat.
Most people assume "warm" means "hot," but Long Beach rarely hits the scorching triple digits that bake places like Riverside or the San Fernando Valley. Yet, when it does get hot, it feels weird. Because we’re tucked into a coastal basin, the humidity can creep up just enough to make a 90-degree day feel like a swampy mess.
The Marine Layer: Nature’s Air Conditioner
If you’ve spent any time here in May or June, you’ve met "June Gloom." It’s basically a thick blanket of low-level clouds that rolls in from the Pacific.
Local experts and meteorologists often point to the California Current as the culprit. This current brings cold water down from Alaska. When the warm inland air rises, it sucks in that cool, moist ocean air. The result? A grey ceiling that keeps the temperature in Long Beach stuck in the mid-60s while the rest of the country is melting.
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Don't let the grey fool you. You can still get a sunburn through those clouds.
By the time 2:00 PM hits, the sun usually "burns off" the layer. Suddenly, the temperature jumps 10 degrees in an hour. It’s a wild swing. One minute you’re wearing a hoodie, the next you’re looking for a spot in the shade at Belmont Shore.
Breaking Down the Seasons (The Real Version)
Forget the four seasons you learned in school. Long Beach operates on its own schedule.
The Mild "Winter"
From December to March, things are... pleasant. You’re looking at highs around 66°F or 67°F.
- January: Usually the coldest month. Lows can dip to 48°F. That sounds warm to a New Yorker, but in a drafty Spanish-style bungalow with no insulation, it feels freezing.
- Rainy Days: This is when we get our 12 inches of annual rain. When it pours, the temperature drops, and the city basically shuts down because nobody remembers how to drive on wet pavement.
The Long Spring/Summer Hybrid
April through June is the transition. The temperature in Long Beach starts climbing into the low 70s. This is peak "marine layer" season. You’ll wake up to 61°F and think the world is ending, only for it to be a perfect 74°F by dinner time.
The Late Summer Peak
August and September are the heavy hitters. This is when the ocean has finally warmed up a bit—well, "warm" for the Pacific, which means maybe 68°F or 70°F.
- August Averages: Highs sit around 82°F.
- September Surprises: Fun fact—September is often hotter than August. In September 2024, a station in Long Beach recorded a staggering 109°F. That’s 25 degrees above the normal average!
Why Your Neighborhood Matters
Location is everything. If you live in the Peninsula or Naples, you’re getting that direct sea breeze. It’s glorious.
But move just five miles inland toward North Long Beach or Bixby Knolls, and the story changes. The "Urban Heat Island" effect is real. All that asphalt at the Port of Long Beach and the sprawling freeway interchanges absorbs heat.
Data from the Long Beach Climate Action Plan shows that inland neighborhoods can be 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the coast during a heatwave. It’s a massive gap. While someone in a beachfront condo is enjoying a 78-degree afternoon, a family near the 710 freeway might be sweltering in 92-degree heat.
The Marine Heatwave Factor
Something we don't talk about enough is what’s happening in the water.
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In 2025, NOAA's "Blobtracker" identified a massive marine heatwave (NEP25A) in the Northeast Pacific. When the ocean surface gets unusually warm, it messes with the air temperature in Long Beach. Warm water doesn’t cool the air as effectively. This leads to those "sticky" nights where the temperature stays above 70°F even at 3:00 AM.
Usually, our nights are cool. We rely on that. When the nights stay hot, the risk of heat-related illness spikes because our bodies never get a chance to recover.
Staying Comfortable: Actionable Tips
If you're visiting or moving here, don't trust a single-day forecast. You have to plan for the "Long Beach Layering."
- The Morning Jacket is Mandatory: Even if the high is 85°F, it will be 58°F at 7:00 AM. Bring a light zip-up.
- Monitor the Dew Point: In late summer, check the humidity. If the dew point hits 65°F, it's going to feel much hotter than the thermometer says.
- Check the Water Temp Before Diving: Just because it's 90°F outside doesn't mean the water is warm. The Pacific is notoriously chilly, often staying in the 60s even in mid-summer.
- Hydrate Early: The breeze masks how much you’re sweating. You won't feel "hot" because the wind evaporates the sweat instantly, but you’re still losing water.
The temperature in Long Beach is a delicate balance of coastal geography and urban reality. It's one of the few places where you can experience three different climates just by driving from the Queen Mary to the Long Beach Airport. Keep an eye on the marine layer, respect the September sun, and always have a sweater in the trunk of your car.
Next Steps for Long Beach Planning:
To get the most out of the local climate, you should track the daily Marine Layer Forecast via the National Weather Service’s San Diego office, which covers the LA basin. If you’re planning outdoor events, aim for the "sweet spot" between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM when the fog has lifted but the evening chill hasn't settled in yet. For those living inland, consider investing in heat-reflective window films, as the temperature difference between the coast and North Long Beach continues to widen during peak summer months.