If you've ever spent a Tuesday afternoon stuck in traffic where the 405 meets the 110, you know Carson isn't just a place—it’s a mood. And the weather? Honestly, it’s a whole different animal than what you’ll find in Downtown LA or even just a few miles south in Long Beach.
Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Carson is doing that thing it does best: looking like a postcard while feeling like a riddle. We’re staring down a high of 79°F and a low of 47°F. That’s a 32-degree swing. If you leave the house in a hoodie, you’re sweating by lunch. If you go out in a t-shirt, you’re shivering by the time the streetlights come on.
The Hour-by-Hour Breakdown for January 14
Don't let the "sunny" label fool you. The transition from the morning chill to the afternoon heat in 90745 and 90746 is aggressive.
- 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: It’s currently a brisk 46°F to 57°F. The humidity is hanging around 70%, making the air feel a bit "heavy" before the sun really starts to bake it off.
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: This is the leap. We’re jumping from 63°F to 74°F in just two hours. The wind is coming in from the North-Northeast at a lazy 5 mph.
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: This is your peak window. It’ll hit 80°F around 2:00 PM. Expect the UV index to hover around 3—not enough to fry you instantly, but definitely enough to notice if you’re out at the Dignity Health Sports Park.
- 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: The sun sets at 5:07 PM. As soon as it dips, the temp drops. We'll be back down to 73°F by 5:00 PM and sliding fast after that.
- Tonight: It’s going to be clear and quiet. The low will bottom out at 54°F (and eventually hit 47°F in the early morning hours of Thursday).
Why Weather Carson CA Hourly is So Weird
Carson sits in a weird geographical "pocket." You’re about 7 miles from the coast, which means you get the marine layer, but you don't always get the cooling breeze. This creates a microclimate that meteorologists often track via the Jack Northrop Field and Long Beach Airport stations, but neither quite captures the "in-between" reality of Carson.
🔗 Read more: Why All About Love by bell hooks is the Reality Check We All Need Right Now
Basically, the city acts like a heat sink.
While the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the west blocks some of that immediate ocean influence, the flat topography—averaging just 52 feet above sea level—allows heat to settle in. Yesterday was warm, but today is actually forecast to be slightly cooler, despite the sun. It's subtle, but you'll feel it in the lack of wind.
Humidity and Your Hair
In January, Carson usually stays around 52% to 57% relative humidity. It’s comfortable. However, today we’re seeing a weird dip. By noon, the humidity will plummet to 30%. If you’re prone to dry skin or static, today is going to be one of those "everything shocks me" kind of days.
Real Talk: The 405 Corridor Effect
There is a local theory, often whispered by long-time residents, that the sheer volume of asphalt and idling cars on the 405 impacts the weather carson ca hourly readings. They aren't entirely wrong. Urban Heat Islands are real. When you have thousands of cars pumping out heat in a concentrated area, the localized temperature near the freeway can be 2-3 degrees higher than what the "official" sensor says at a nearby park.
What to Wear Today
- Layers are mandatory. A light jacket over a breathable shirt.
- Sunglasses. The 2:00 PM glare on Avalon Blvd is no joke.
- Hydrate. That 30% humidity will sneak up on you.
Looking Ahead to Thursday
Tomorrow, January 15, looks like a carbon copy. High of 79°F, mostly sunny, and light winds. We are in a classic Southern California winter "warm spell." It’s great for a midday walk, but it’s definitely not "winter" by anyone else's standards.
📖 Related: Poison oak plant identification: What most hikers get wrong about the itchy brush
Summary of Actionable Steps
- Morning commuters: Keep the heater on until 9:00 AM, then switch to AC by 11:00 AM.
- Outdoor activities: Aim for the 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM window if you want the "pleasant" 69°F to 74°F range before it gets actually hot.
- Evening plans: If you're heading to dinner, the temperature will be in the low 60s by 7:00 PM. Bring a coat.
Carson weather is all about the transition. It moves fast, it’s dry, and it’s predictably unpredictable if you aren't looking at the hourly shifts. Keep an eye on those wind gusts—even at 5-10 mph, they can make the shade feel significantly cooler than the sun.