Right now, West Palm Beach is basically showing off. It’s Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while half the country is probably scraping frost off their windshields, we’re sitting at a comfortable 76°F. Honestly, with the humidity hovering at 86%, it actually feels more like 80°F out there.
It’s cloudy today. Not the "gloomy, stay-inside" kind of cloudy, but that thick, protective Floridian cover that keeps the sun from absolutely baking you while you’re trying to grab brunch on Clematis Street. There’s a southwest wind kicking up at 12 mph, just enough to keep the air moving so it doesn't feel like a sauna.
The January Reality Check
People think Florida is "summer all year." That's a myth. Well, mostly. Today’s high is hitting 80°F, but the low tonight is going to plummet to 52°F.
That’s a nearly 30-degree swing. You’ve got to dress in layers or you’ll be the shivering tourist in a tank top once the sun goes down.
What to Expect This Week
If you’re planning the next few days, here’s the quick outlook:
- Monday: It’s going to cool down. We’re looking at a high of 66°F and a low of 51°F. North winds at 14 mph will make it feel a bit crisp.
- Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a high of 72°F.
- The Mid-week Shift: By Wednesday and Thursday, the "light rain" kicks in. We’re talking a 20-35% chance of showers. Temperatures will climb back into the upper 70s, with lows staying much warmer around 70°F.
Why Everyone Flocks Here Now
There’s a reason this is the "High Season." From now through April, the weather in West Palm Beach is generally spectacular. The humidity—which is usually the villain of the story—drops significantly compared to the "soup" of August.
Historically, January is our coldest month, but "cold" is a relative term. The average high is usually around 74°F. Today’s 80°F is a bit of a heat wave for January, but nobody’s complaining.
If you’re coming from the Northeast, you’ll probably find the ocean temperature (usually around 72-76°F this time of year) totally swimmable. Locals? We won’t touch the water until it’s 80°F. We’re spoiled like that.
Surviving the "Summer Soup"
If you decide to visit between June and September, you’re brave. That’s the rainy season. It’s hot. It’s oppressive.
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It’s also hurricane season.
The peak for storms is usually mid-August through October. If you’re here then, you basically live by the radar. Most days follow a pattern: beautiful morning, oppressive heat by noon, and a torrential downpour at 4:00 PM that lasts exactly twenty minutes before the sun comes back out to turn the streets into a steam room.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Pack a "Florida Jacket": A light hoodie or denim jacket is mandatory. Not just for the 50-degree nights, but because every restaurant in West Palm Beach cranks the AC to "Arctic Tundra" levels.
- The Sun is Sneaky: Even when it’s cloudy like today, the UV index is still hitting 2. In a few days, it’ll be a 4. You will get burned while "just walking around." Wear the SPF.
- Download a Radar App: Don't trust the generic "rainy" icon on your phone. In West Palm, it can be pouring on one side of the Intracoastal and bone-dry at the beach. Use a live radar to time your walks.
- Book Early: Since the weather is currently peaking, so are the prices. If you want that perfect 75-degree day without the $500-a-night hotel room, aim for the "shoulder" months of May or October.
The weather is why we live here. Today is a southwest wind, cloudy skies, and a decent 80-degree "feels like" temp. It’s pretty much perfect.
Check the local forecast for Monday morning before you head out, as that north wind is going to bring a much cooler 66°F day than what we're experiencing right now.