If you’re thinking about a quick desert getaway right now, you’ve probably looked at your phone and seen that "81°F" for Saturday, January 17, and thought, "Perfect, I’m packing nothing but swimsuits."
Stop.
Honestly, the ten day forecast for Palm Springs CA is a bit of a trickster this time of year. While the daytime highs are hitting those beautiful numbers that make your friends back in the Midwest weep with envy, the desert doesn’t play by normal rules.
The Reality of a Desert Winter
People forget that Palm Springs is a valley floor tucked right against the San Jacinto Mountains. When that sun dips behind the peaks—which happens way earlier than you’d think because of the massive shadows—the temperature doesn't just "cool off." It plunges.
Right now, we're looking at a Saturday high of 81°F, but by tonight, it’s dropping to 55°F. That’s a 26-degree swing. You’ll be sweating at 2:00 PM and shivering at the outdoor dinner table by 6:00 PM if you aren't prepared.
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Here is the breakdown of what the next several days actually look like:
- Sunday, Jan 18: High of 77°F and low of 55°F. A tiny bit cooler than today, mostly partly sunny.
- Monday, Jan 19: Expect a high of 79°F and a low of 56°F. Basically perfect golf weather.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny skies continue with a high of 78°F and a low of 55°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: High of 78°F and a low of 55°F.
Notice a pattern? It's remarkably consistent. Highs in the upper 70s, lows in the mid-50s. But things start to shift as we move toward the end of the week.
Mid-Week Shifts and "Rain"
By Thursday, January 22, the clouds start rolling in. We're looking at a high of 76°F and a low of 54°F. Now, the forecast mentions a 10% chance of rain.
Let's talk about rain in Palm Springs. 10% basically means "you might see a cloud that looks like it's thinking about raining." But by Sunday, January 25, that chance bumps up to 20% with "light rain" predicted and a high of 76°F.
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For locals, a 20% chance of rain is practically a monsoon. For you? It’s probably nothing. Still, the humidity is creeping up from 16% today to nearly 39% by next Saturday. It’ll feel a little less "crisp."
Wind and the "Chill Factor"
The wind is currently a gentle 3 mph from the west. In the desert, wind is the real temperature regulator. If that northwest breeze picks up even slightly, a 74°F day (like we're seeing for next Saturday, Jan 24) starts to feel like 65°F the second you step into the shade.
What to Actually Pack (The "Local" Secret)
If you follow the ten day forecast for Palm Springs CA blindly, you’ll pack wrong. I’ve seen it a thousand times.
You need the "Palm Springs Uniform." This consists of a base layer that is essentially summer gear—think linen shirts, breathable cotton, or a sundress. But you absolutely must have a medium-weight jacket or a thick cardigan.
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If you are heading up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, forget everything I just said. The valley floor might be 81°F, but Mountain Station can easily be 30 degrees colder. I've seen tourists arrive at the top in flip-flops and shorts only to realize they’ve made a terrible, freezing mistake.
The Sun is Still Strong
The UV index today is a 3. That sounds low, but don't let it fool you. The desert air is thin and dry (humidity is only 28% right now). You will get burned faster than you realize because you don't feel the "heat" as intensely as you do in humid climates.
Basically, wear the sunscreen even if it’s only 74°F next Saturday.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the shadow line: If you’re booking a hotel, check if the pool is on the west side of the building. In the winter, the mountains block the sun early, and a pool in the shade at 3:00 PM is a cold pool.
- Layer or bust: Pack a denim jacket or a light down vest for the evenings. You'll use it every single night.
- Hydrate early: With humidity levels hitting 16-19% over the next few days, you'll lose moisture just by breathing. Drink more water than you think you need before you feel thirsty.
- Dinner reservations: If you’re eating outside, ask if they have "misters" (for the day) or "heaters" (for the night). Most do, but it’s worth a check for those late-January 54°F nights.
The next ten days in Palm Springs are looking like classic desert winter—warm, dry, and predictable, provided you don't forget that the sun eventually has to go down.