Honestly, if you’ve lived in Southern California long enough, you know the "winter" drill. You wake up ready for a cozy sweater and a hot latte, but by 2 p.m., you’re peeling off layers and wondering why the AC just kicked in. This week has been a total trip. We’ve been coasting through a weirdly aggressive January heat wave that pushed temperatures into the 80s, making the beach feel a lot more like July than mid-winter.
But things are shifting.
The weather in los angeles ca next week is basically a slow-motion slide back into reality. We aren't hitting a deep freeze—this is LA, after all—but that peak heat is definitely losing its grip. If you’ve been melting in the valleys or just tired of the 80-degree sun beating down on your commute, there's some relief on the horizon.
The Heat is Fading (Slowly)
Right now, the high is sitting pretty at 80°F. It’s gorgeous, sure, but it’s also a bit much for mid-January. If you’re looking at the forecast for the next few days, you’ll see a steady, almost stubborn descent. Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, we’re looking at 78°F. By the time Sunday rolls around, it’ll be a much more manageable 76°F.
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It’s a gradual cooling trend. Brian Lewis, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, mentioned recently that while the peak hit mid-week, the break would be slow. You won't need a parka by Monday, but you might actually get to wear that light jacket you bought on sale last month.
What to Expect Day-by-Day
The transition starts with a lot of sun before the clouds decide to crash the party.
Saturday, January 17, is when the "mostly cloudy" vibes start to set in. We're looking at a high of 77°F and a low of 54°F. It's that classic "is it actually going to rain?" look that usually ends in nothing but a few grey photos for your Instagram story. The humidity is staying pretty low—around 27%—so it won’t feel sticky, just a bit more muted.
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Sunday and Monday (January 18-19) keep that "mostly sunny" energy with highs ranging from 75°F to 76°F. It’s basically perfect patio weather.
- Thursday (Today): Sunny, high of 80°F, low of 55°F.
- Friday: Still sunny, slightly cooler at 78°F.
- Saturday: Clouds move in, high of 77°F.
- Sunday: Back to mostly sunny, high of 76°F.
Will it Actually Rain?
Every time the clouds show up in January, everyone starts checking the radar. Kinda funny how we get so hopeful for a drizzle. For next week, the chances are pretty slim. Saturday has about a 10% chance of rain during the day, which in LA terms basically means "maybe a single drop will hit your windshield."
By the middle of next week, specifically Thursday, January 22, the humidity starts to climb toward 52%. That’s usually the signal that the atmosphere is priming for something, and the high drops down to 68°F. That's a 12-degree difference from where we are today. That is the real shift.
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The Bigger Picture: La Niña’s Last Stand
You might have heard that 2026 was supposed to be a La Niña year. Usually, that means a bone-dry winter for us. But the Climate Prediction Center is seeing a 75% chance of transitioning to ENSO-neutral conditions between now and March.
What does that mean for your weekend plans? Basically, the weather is becoming less predictable. We had those massive storms back in November and December that caught everyone off guard because they didn't fit the "dry La Niña" mold. This current heat wave is another symptom of that weird atmospheric tug-of-war.
Actionable Tips for the Shift
Since the weather in los angeles ca next week is transitioning from "hot" to "cool-ish," here is how to handle it without losing your mind.
- Hydrate now: The humidity is super low right now (26-32%). Your skin and your throat will feel it before the temperature actually drops.
- Plan your outdoor workouts for Sunday/Monday: The mid-70s are way better for a run than the low-80s we're seeing today.
- Check your tire pressure: Fast temperature swings—like going from 80-degree days to 50-degree nights—can trigger that annoying "low pressure" light on your dashboard.
- Layers are your best friend: Seriously. You’ll want the short sleeves for the 74°F afternoons on Tuesday, but that 53°F night will sneak up on you fast.
The heat wave is overstaying its welcome, but it's finally packing its bags. By next Thursday, we'll be back in the high 60s, and it’ll actually feel like January in California again. Enjoy the sun while it's here, but keep the hoodie close.