Honestly, if you’ve lived in Los Angeles for more than a week, you know the drill. One day you’re wearing a hoodie and wondering if it’s finally "winter," and the next, you’re looking for your polarized sunglasses because the sun is absolutely beaming. This coming week is basically a masterclass in that classic SoCal indecision.
Right now, we are coming off a bit of a heat spike. Saturday and Sunday are hitting 80°F, which is frankly wild for mid-January. If you’re heading to the beach or just trying to exist in the Valley, it’s going to feel like summer took a wrong turn and ended up in the middle of winter. But don't get too comfortable in those flip-flops.
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The Mid-Week Slump is Real
By Monday, things start to "cool down"—and I use that term loosely because it's still going to be 74°F. That’s basically room temperature for the entire city. It’s perfect park weather, really. No wind to speak of, just a light 3 mph breeze. If you've been planning a hike at Griffith or just want to sit outside at a cafe in Silver Lake, Monday and Tuesday are your golden windows.
The real shift happens on Wednesday, January 21.
The clouds are moving in, and the high drops to 71°F. It’s not "cold," but the vibe changes. We’re moving from that crisp, bright sunshine into a gray, "June Gloom" in January sort of situation. By Thursday, we’re looking at 67°F. That’s the day you’ll actually want that light jacket you bought on sale last month.
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Is It Actually Going to Rain?
Everyone always asks the same thing: "Is it gonna pour?"
Basically, not really—at least not at first. We’ve got a consistent 10% to 20% chance of rain starting Wednesday and lingering through Friday. It’s that annoying kind of mist that doesn't really wash your car but definitely makes it look dirtier.
However, Saturday, January 24, is when things get a bit more serious. The forecast is calling for light rain with a 35% chance of precipitation overnight.
Here is the quick breakdown of what to expect:
- The Heat Wave: Saturday and Sunday (Jan 17-18) will be 80°F and mostly sunny.
- The Sweet Spot: Monday and Tuesday (Jan 19-20) stay around 74°F with total sunshine.
- The Gray Shift: Wednesday and Thursday (Jan 21-22) bring the clouds and drop temps to the high 60s.
- The Damp Ending: Saturday (Jan 24) is the highest risk for actual rain, with a high of 68°F and a low of 51°F.
Why the Forecast Keeps Shifting
There’s a lot of talk about the "Polar Vortex" hitting the East Coast right now. You’ve probably seen the headlines. While the Midwest is freezing, we’re tucked behind a ridge of high pressure that’s keeping us warm—sort of like a protective bubble. But as that ridge weakens, the door opens for moisture to sneak in from the Pacific.
Experts at the National Weather Service are watching a transition from La Niña conditions toward a more "neutral" state. What does that mean for you? It means the weather is becoming less predictable. We’re moving out of that "reliably dry" phase and into a period where a random storm could easily spin off the coast and soak us.
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What You Should Actually Do
If you have outdoor plans, do them before Wednesday. Seriously.
If you’re a gardener, Sunday is a great day to water deeply because the humidity is sitting low at 33%, and that 80-degree sun will bake your soil. But by next weekend, you might get a free watering from the sky.
The lows are staying remarkably consistent around 51°F to 53°F. It’s that classic LA "layering" weather. You’ll be sweating at 2:00 PM and shivering by 6:00 PM.
Pro tip: Keep an umbrella in the trunk starting Thursday. You probably won't need it until Saturday, but in this city, once the first drop hits the 405, everyone forgets how to drive, and you don't want to be the one stuck in the rain without a plan.
Check your wipers too. Most of us haven't used them in weeks, and there’s nothing worse than discovering they’re dry-rotted right when the Saturday "light rain" turns into a real visibility issue. Stay dry, stay hydrated, and enjoy those 80-degree days while they last.
Next Steps for You
- Audit your outdoor events: Move any sensitive outdoor gatherings to Monday or Tuesday to avoid the mid-week cloud cover and the Saturday rain risk.
- Check your vehicle: Verify your tire pressure and windshield wiper condition before the moisture arrives on the 24th.
- Adjust your thermostat: With daytime highs swinging from 80°F to 65°F over the week, ensure your home cooling and heating schedules reflect the 15-degree drop.