If you're planning a trip to the City of Angels, or maybe you're just moving here from a part of the world that uses a sensible measurement system, you've probably realized that "sunny and 75" doesn't mean much in Celsius. Honestly, the weather in los angeles in centigrade is a lot more nuanced than the postcards suggest. People think it's just one big eternal summer. It's not.
Actually, it's a collection of microclimates. You can be shivering in a coastal fog at 16°C in Santa Monica while someone just 20 kilometres inland in Pasadena is sweating in 32°C heat. It’s wild.
The Real Numbers: Month-by-Month Breakdown
Let's get into the actual data. Most people expect Los Angeles to be blistering, but the maritime influence keeps the basin surprisingly temperate most of the year.
January and February: The "Winter" Reality
January is usually the coldest month, but "cold" is a relative term here. You're looking at average highs of about 18°C and lows that can dip to 9°C. This is also when we get our rain. If it’s going to pour, it’s happening now. February is similar, maybe a tiny bit wetter, with averages still hovering around 14°C overall. You’ll definitely need a jacket once the sun goes down.
March to May: The Spring Sweet Spot
This is arguably the best time to visit. In March, the mercury starts climbing toward a pleasant 19°C. By May, you're looking at 21°C or 22°C. But there’s a catch: "May Gray." This is a thick marine layer that blankets the city in clouds until noon. It feels cooler than the thermometer says because the sun isn't hitting you.
June to August: High Summer and June Gloom
June continues the cloud trend with "June Gloom." Even though the average is about 24°C, the mornings can feel damp and grey. July and August are the heavy hitters. This is when the weather in los angeles in centigrade starts to actually feel like "California." August is the peak, with average highs of 25°C near the coast, but frequently hitting 30°C to 35°C in the valleys.
September to December: The Heat Lingers
September is often hotter than July. We call it "Local Summer." Highs stay around 25°C on average, but heatwaves can easily push things into the high 30s. November is when it finally breaks, dropping back to a crisp 21°C, leading into a mild December that mirrors January at about 18°C.
Why the Location Matters (Microclimates)
Geography is everything in LA. The city is basically a giant basin surrounded by mountains.
If you are standing on the Santa Monica Pier, the Pacific Ocean acts like a giant air conditioner. The water temperature rarely gets above 20°C, so it keeps the air cool. However, as you move east toward Downtown LA or the San Fernando Valley, the "marine layer" loses its grip.
A typical August afternoon looks like this:
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- Santa Monica: 23°C (Perfect)
- Downtown LA: 28°C (Warm)
- Woodland Hills: 36°C (Brutal)
That’s a 13-degree difference in a thirty-minute drive. You've gotta dress in layers. Seriously.
Rainfall and the Dry Spell
LA is technically a Mediterranean/Semi-Arid climate. Basically, it doesn't rain for six months. From May to October, you might see a grand total of 5mm of rain. It’s bone dry.
Then comes the "Wet Season" from November to April. We get about 300mm of rain annually, which isn't much compared to London or New York, but when it happens, it happens all at once. Atmospheric rivers can dump 50mm in a single day, leading to mudslides in the hills.
The Santa Ana Winds Factor
Every autumn, usually between October and December, we get these offshore winds called the Santa Anas. They blow in from the desert. Instead of the cool ocean breeze, you get hot, dry gusts that can spike the temperature to 32°C in the middle of November.
Humidity drops to near zero. It’s "earthquake weather" (though that’s a myth). It makes everyone a little bit crazy and creates a massive wildfire risk. If you’re checking the weather in los angeles in centigrade during October and see a sudden jump to 30°C, that's the Santa Anas at work.
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Packing for the LA Climate
Forget the "tank tops and shorts 24/7" vibe unless you’re staying strictly in the Valley in July.
- The Morning Layer: If you’re out at 8:00 AM, it might be 13°C. You need a hoodie.
- The Mid-Day Transition: By 2:00 PM, it’s 24°C. The hoodie is now a burden.
- The Ocean Drop: If you head to the beach for sunset, the temperature will plummet the second the sun hits the horizon.
Practical Insights for Your Trip
To get the most out of the city, aim for the "shoulder seasons." April, May, September, and October offer the most consistent weather in los angeles in centigrade without the extreme heat of late summer or the rain of February.
If you want to hike the Hollywood Sign, do it in the morning during March or April. The air is clear after the rains, and the temperature is a comfortable 18°C. If you try it in August at midday, you’re dealing with 30°C+ and zero shade. Not fun.
Check the local forecasts specifically for the neighborhood you’re visiting. A "Los Angeles" forecast usually defaults to Downtown, which is significantly warmer than the beach and cooler than the valley. Using an app that allows you to pinpoint Santa Monica or Burbank will give you much better data for your day.
Monitor the UV index as well. Even when it's a "cool" 20°C in May, the California sun is incredibly strong. You will burn.
Plan your outdoor activities for the morning to avoid the afternoon heat spikes, especially if you are heading inland to places like Universal Studios or the Griffith Observatory. If you see "June Gloom" in the forecast, don't panic—it usually burns off by 1:00 PM, leaving you with a beautiful, mild afternoon.