So, it’s January 14, 2026, and if you’re standing in Downtown LA right now, you’re probably looking at a bright, crisp sky. It feels like quintessential SoCal. But drive just ten miles up the 2-fwy into Glendale and things change. Fast. People talk about "Southern California weather" like it’s one big, sunny monolith. It’s not.
Glendale is basically the gateway to the San Fernando Valley, and that geography matters more than you think. Today, while parts of the basin are sitting at a comfortable 77°F, Glendale is pushing closer to 79°F with almost zero humidity. It’s dry. Really dry. We’re currently in a weird January warm spell where the UV index is low—around a 2—but the sun still feels heavy on your skin because the air is so thin and clear.
Honestly, the weather los angeles glendale produces is a lesson in microclimates. You’ve got the Verdugo Mountains hugging Glendale on one side and the San Gabriels on the other. This creates a "bowl" effect. Heat gets trapped. Winds get funneled. If you’re planning a day that starts at the Americana at Brand and ends with dinner in Santa Monica, you’re going to need three different outfits. I’m not even joking.
The January Warm-Up and the "Wet Soil" Trap
We just came out of a Santa Ana wind event that peaked around January 9th through the 12th. Those winds were brutal this year. While they’ve died down to a light 4-6 mph breeze today, they left a specific kind of mess behind.
📖 Related: Finding the Right Words: Quotes About Sons That Actually Mean Something
Usually, Santa Anas mean high fire danger. But 2026 has been strange. We had massive rainstorms over the New Year holiday—some spots got three inches in forty-eight hours. Because the ground is still totally saturated, the recent winds didn't spark fires; they uprooted trees.
If you’re walking around North Glendale or the Verdugo Woodlands today, you’ll see the evidence. Saturated soil acts like a loose socket for tree roots. When a 50 mph gust hits a heavy oak in mud, the tree loses.
- Current Temp (Jan 14): 79°F High / 58°F Low
- Conditions: Clear, sunny, and bone-dry (29% humidity)
- Wind: 6 mph from the North
- Outlook: Rain is likely returning around the 19th
The contrast is wild. We go from "wear a parka for the flood" to "wear a t-shirt because it’s 80 degrees" in the span of a week.
👉 See also: Williams Sonoma Deer Park IL: What Most People Get Wrong About This Kitchen Icon
Why Glendale Feels Different Than LA Proper
Most people don't realize that Glendale is technically a "valley" city, even if it feels like part of the central LA sprawl. This means the marine layer—that thick, gray fog that saves Santa Monica from melting—often stops right at the Glendale-Atwater Village border.
In the summer, this gap can mean a 10-degree difference. In January, it's more about the "sunlight duration." Glendale gets about 7 solid hours of bright sunshine a day this month. Because it's tucked against the mountains, the sun "sets" behind the peaks a bit earlier for some neighborhoods, leading to a sharp, chilly drop as soon as the shadows hit.
The Winter 2026 Forecast Breakdown
The Old Farmer’s Almanac and local NWS stations are both pointing toward a "warmer than average" January, which we are definitely seeing right now. But don't get used to this 79-degree afternoon.
✨ Don't miss: Finding the most affordable way to live when everything feels too expensive
Historical data for weather los angeles glendale shows that late January is almost always a volatility zone. We have a "chilly" window coming between January 24th and 31st. We’re talking lows in the 40s. If you’re a gardener in Glendale, this is the time when you’ll actually see frost on your windshield—something that rarely happens ten miles south in DTLA.
Navigating the Daily "Glendale Shift"
If you’re living here or just visiting, you have to play the layering game. The "Glendale Shift" is that moment at 4:30 PM when the temperature drops 15 degrees in twenty minutes. It’s the mountain air rolling down into the city.
- Morning (7 AM - 10 AM): It’s 52°F. You need a real jacket. The air is stagnant and cool.
- Midday (11 AM - 3 PM): The sun is out. It’s 78°F. You’re in a t-shirt wondering why you brought a jacket.
- Evening (5 PM onwards): The sun dips behind the Verdugos. It’s immediately 60°F and falling.
Basically, the 2026 winter season is proving to be one of "hydroclimate whiplash." We are moving between extreme wet and extreme dry. While today is a perfect "Chamber of Commerce" sunny day, the moisture levels in the soil mean the humidity will spike the second the sun goes down, making it feel "colder" than the thermometer says.
Keep an eye on the sky toward the end of next week. The ridge of high pressure keeping us warm right now is expected to break by January 18th or 19th. When that happens, the "rainy periods" mentioned in the long-range forecasts will likely kick in, potentially bringing another 1-2 inches of rain to the Glendale foothills.
If you have outdoor furniture or loose umbrellas, check the bolts today while it’s calm. The transition from these warm "faux-summer" days to the next storm system often starts with a sudden afternoon wind surge that catches everyone off guard. Pack a light windbreaker in the car and keep your irrigation systems off—the ground has more than enough water for now.