So, you’re looking at the forecast and thinking it’s finally time to put away the heavy coat. You’re mostly right. But if you’ve lived in Southern California long enough, you know the sky here has a way of playing tricks just when you get comfortable.
Right now, we are sitting in the middle of a weirdly warm stretch. Honestly, it feels more like early May than the middle of January.
Tuesday kicked things off with a high of 25°C (that's about 77°F for those of us still mentally stuck in Imperial units). Tomorrow? It’s getting even warmer. Wednesday, January 14, is looking to hit 28°C (82°F) in some parts of the basin.
The Heat is Real (For Now)
We are currently under the influence of a prolonged Santa Ana wind event. These northeast winds are basically nature's blow-dryer. They compress as they roll down the mountains, heating up and dropping the humidity until your skin feels like parchment paper.
National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters are calling this a "very prolonged" event. Usually, these things blow through in a day or two. Not this time. We’re looking at peak temperatures Tuesday through Thursday that are roughly 10 to 15 degrees above normal.
It’s the kind of weather that makes you want to hit the beach, but there’s a catch.
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While the air is hot, the ocean is still sitting at a brisk 15°C (59°F). If you go in, you’re going to freeze. Also, those same winds making the valleys feel like a sauna are kicking up some nasty "hazardous seas" near the shore. Small boat owners should probably stay docked.
Weather in LA Next Week: The Sudden Shift
Here is where things get interesting for the weather in la next week.
By Friday, the "winter heat wave" starts to lose its grip. We’ll drop back down to about 25°C on Friday, and the overnight lows will stay around 11°C. It’s still nice, but the real change happens over the weekend and into next Monday.
Early next week, the pattern flips.
We are currently in a weak La Niña cycle. Usually, that means "warm and dry," but 2026 is proving to be a bit of an outlier. We’ve already seen more rain this season than we typically get in an entire year, thanks to that massive atmospheric river that soaked the Rose Parade back on New Year’s Day.
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According to long-range data from the Climate Prediction Center, the ridge of high pressure that’s keeping us warm is going to break down.
What to Expect Day-by-Day
- Wednesday & Thursday: Peak heat. Clear skies. Wear sunscreen. Seriously.
- Friday: The cooling begins. Periodic clouds might roll in by nightfall.
- Saturday: Partly cloudy. A small 5-10% chance of a stray shower, though it’s mostly just "moody" weather rather than a washout.
- Next Monday/Tuesday: This is the window to watch. Forecasters like Dave Gomberg at the NWS are keeping an eye on a system that could bring light rain and significantly colder nights.
Why the Forecast Keeps Changing
People love to complain about meteorologists. "They said it would rain, and it didn't!"
The reality is that Los Angeles weather is dictated by the Pacific. Right now, there is a lot of "model disagreement." Some computers suggest a wet Monday, while others think the storm will stay north in Ventura and Santa Barbara.
There’s also the MJO (Madden-Julian Oscillation) to consider. It’s a bit technical, but basically, it’s a pulse of clouds and rain that moves around the equator. It’s been weak, but it’s expected to re-emerge later in January. When it does, it usually opens the door for more frequent storms.
Stay Ahead of the Chaos
If you’re planning a hike or a commute, keep these three things in mind.
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First, the wind. Even if it’s sunny, those Santa Anas can gust up to 55 mph in the San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys. That means downed tree limbs and power outages. Don't park your car under an old eucalyptus tree this week.
Second, the "rapid thaw." If you’re heading up to the mountains, be careful. The sudden heat after the recent snows is making everything soft and unstable. Rockfalls on the 2 or the 18 are much more likely right now.
Third, the skin factor. This dry air is brutal. Use more moisturizer than you think you need.
Next Steps for You
Check your tire pressure. Sudden temperature swings from 82°F days to 45°F nights can cause your "low tire" light to pop on. Also, keep an eye on the NWS "Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook" specifically for Monday evening. If that storm tracks south, your Tuesday morning commute could be a mess of slick roads and "oil-slick" conditions.