Honestly, if you're waking up in the San Fernando Valley today, you might be a little confused. Is it actually winter? Looking at the weather forecast for Van Nuys CA for Sunday, January 18, 2026, the numbers feel more like a preview of May than the middle of January.
We’re looking at a high of 78°F.
That’s a full 11 degrees above the historical average of 67°F for this time of year. While the rest of the country is grappling with talks of a Polar Vortex and "Arctic revenge" pushing deep into the South, Van Nuys is basically sitting in a warm, dry bubble. If you had plans to hide under a blanket all day, the sun might have other ideas.
The Valley Heat Spike: Why It’s Happening
It’s mostly sunny out there. You’ve probably noticed that crispness in the air that usually signals a Santa Ana wind event. Local synopses from experts like those at UCLA’s Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences department point to a strong off-shore flow. Essentially, high pressure over the Great Basin is pushing air down the mountains, compressing it, and heating it up before it hits the Valley floor.
The humidity is sitting at a bone-dry 24%.
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For anyone with sensitive skin or a yard full of drought-conscious plants, that’s the real story. It’s not just "warm"; it’s that specific kind of California dry that makes you reach for the ChapStick every twenty minutes.
Breaking Down Today's Numbers
Don't let the afternoon warmth fool you into leaving your jacket at home if you're staying out late. The diurnal shift—that’s just a fancy way of saying the temperature swing—is pretty dramatic today.
- High Temperature: 78°F (Peak usually around 2:00 PM)
- Low Temperature: 49°F (Expected late tonight)
- Condition: Mostly sunny transitioning to a clear night
- Wind: Northwest at a gentle 6 mph
- UV Index: 2 (Moderate, but still enough to catch a burn if you're out for hours)
The 10% chance of rain mentioned in some morning reports? Basically a ghost. With the current atmospheric setup, we aren't seeing any real moisture. It’s a dry heat, through and through.
What Most People Get Wrong About Van Nuys Winters
Most folks think Los Angeles weather is a flat line of 72 degrees. Locals know better. Van Nuys is notorious for being the "extreme" sibling of the L.A. basin. Because it’s tucked behind the Santa Monica Mountains, it doesn't get that consistent coastal cooling. When it’s hot, Van Nuys is hotter. When a cold front hits, the Valley floor traps that chilly air.
Actually, earlier this month, we saw some decent rain. On January 1st, Van Nuys Airport recorded over an inch of precipitation. But since then, the "January Thaw" has taken over. This week is a prime example of the "false spring" that often tricks Southern Californians into planting tomatoes too early.
Looking Toward the Week Ahead
If you’re planning your week, don't expect this mini-heatwave to last forever. While Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) should stay sunny with highs near 80°F, the long-range models suggest a pattern shift.
By the end of the week, around January 22nd or 23rd, the jet stream is expected to wobble. We might see a return to "real" winter weather with highs dropping back into the 60s and a 20% chance of actual, measurable rain.
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Survival Tips for a 78-Degree January Day
Since it’s so dry, your plants are going to be thirstier than usual for mid-January. If you have sensitive tropicals, give them a deep soak this evening once the sun goes down.
Also, watch out for the wind. While it’s only 6 mph at the moment, these off-shore flows can kick up gusts unexpectedly, especially near the foothills. It’s the kind of weather where static electricity becomes a constant annoyance and your morning coffee cools down way faster than you’d expect.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Hydrate now: With humidity at 24%, you’re losing moisture faster than you realize.
- Layer up: That 29-degree drop from the daytime high to the nighttime low is no joke. Carry a medium-weight sweater for after 5:00 PM.
- Check your wipers: It’s dry now, but the forecasted shift later this week means you’ll want to make sure your blades haven't dry-rotted in the sun before the next round of Valley showers hits.