Ask a dozen Angelenos what the weather is like and you’ll get a dozen different answers — not because they disagree, but because Los Angeles is a city of microclimates, with temperature differences of up to 15°F between the San Fernando Valley and the beach. This guide cuts through the fog to give you the real story on LA’s weather, from live conditions and seasonal averages to the best times to visit — and the cheapest.

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Average annual temperature: 18°C (64°F) · Sunny days per year: 284 · Rainiest month: January · Average summer high: 29°C (84°F) · Average winter low: 9°C (48°F)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild, wet winters (Wikipedia).
  • Warm season lasts roughly July 1 to September 30, with average highs above 81°F (WeatherSpark).
  • Cool season runs November 26 to March 23, with average highs below 70°F (Intrepid Travel). (Wikipedia)
  • The city averages about 15 inches of rain per year (Lonely Planet). (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • June Gloom arrives in early summer, followed by a rapid warm-up in July (WeatherSpark). (Lonely Planet)
  • September can still bring heat waves, often exceeding 100°F inland (Lonely Planet).
4What’s next
  • Spring (March–May) brings mild warming — expect highs in the 60s–70s°F (Intrepid Travel).
  • Fall (September–November) is considered “local summer” and is often the best time to visit (Lonely Planet).

Six key climate numbers that capture LA’s weather profile at a glance.

Metric Value
Average January low 48°F (9°C)
Average July high 84°F (29°C)
Annual rainfall 15 inches (380 mm)
Sunny days per year 284
Record high 118°F (48°C) – September 2020
Record low 28°F (-2°C) – February 1949

Is Los Angeles hot or cold right now?

Current temperature and conditions

  • Right now LA’s temperature falls somewhere between the typical winter low of 48°F and summer high of 84°F, depending on the season (Intrepid Travel).
  • Coastal areas are usually 5–10°F cooler than inland valleys due to the marine layer (NOAA (federal climate agency)).
  • For live updates, check the National Weather Service Los Angeles page.

How to check live updates

Why this matters

A traveler checking “weather in Los Angeles” on a July afternoon might see 75°F at LAX — and pack a jacket. But head to Woodland Hills and it’s 95°F. The single number doesn’t tell you where you actually are in the city.

The implication: always check the specific neighborhood forecast rather than a citywide number.

What is the coldest month in Los Angeles?

Average December and January temperatures

  • January is typically the coldest month, with average lows around 48°F (9°C) and highs near 68°F (20°C) (WeatherSpark).
  • December is nearly as chilly, with lows around 48°F (Intrepid Travel).

How cold does it actually get?

  • Frost is rare in the city proper, and snow is almost nonexistent in central LA (Intrepid Travel).
  • The record low for Los Angeles is 28°F (-2°C) set in February 1949.
The catch

“Cold” in LA is relative. A winter low of 48°F might feel bracing to locals used to 60°F nights, but compared to Chicago’s January lows near 20°F, it’s positively balmy.

The pattern: even the coldest month here is mild by national standards.

When is the best time to visit Los Angeles?

Spring and fall shoulder seasons

  • Many visitors prefer March–May and September–November for mild weather and fewer crowds (Lonely Planet).
  • Fall is called “local summer” — September can be warmer than June (Lonely Planet).

Summer vs. winter trade-offs

  • Summer offers guaranteed sun but higher temperatures — average highs in August are 84°F (29°C) (Intrepid Travel).
  • Winter is mild and less crowded, but you’ll trade some warmth for a chance of rain (February averages 3.3 inches) (WeatherSpark).

What this means: If you want the most comfortable weather with the fewest tourists, spring and fall win — but summer is the safest bet for beach days without a jacket.

How’s the weather in Los Angeles for the next 10 days?

Forecast summary (example placeholder)

  • A typical 10-day forecast for LA shows sunny intervals with daytime highs near 75°F (24°C) and overnight lows around 55°F (13°C) during spring and fall (Intrepid Travel).
  • In summer, expect mostly clear skies and highs between 75–85°F; winter may bring occasional rain.

Where to find reliable 10-day outlooks

  • The National Weather Service provides detailed forecasts up to 10 days at weather.gov (NWS Los Angeles).
  • Weather.com and AccuWeather also offer long-range outlooks with hour-by-hour breakdowns.
What to watch

Long-range forecasts beyond day 7 are less reliable for exact temperatures. Precipitation timing can shift 12–24 hours even within the 5-day window (NOAA Institutional Repository (climate research body)).

The catch: always double-check the forecast the morning of your plans.

Is LA still warm in winter?

Winter daytime highs and nighttime lows

  • Winter afternoons often reach 65–70°F (18–21°C) while nights drop to 48–50°F (9–10°C) (Intrepid Travel).
  • Snow is a near-zero probability in the city; even frost is uncommon (Intrepid Travel).

What to pack for a winter trip

  • Layers are key: a light jacket or sweater for evenings, shorts or jeans for daytime (Intrepid Travel).
  • Bring an umbrella or rain jacket — February is the wettest month, though it averages only 5 days of rain (Intrepid Travel).

The trade-off: You can dine outdoors in January if the sun’s out, but by 8 p.m. you’ll be glad for that sweater.

What is the cheapest month to go to LA?

Airfare and hotel price trends

  • January, February, and September often have lower airfare and hotel rates (Lonely Planet).
  • Avoid Thanksgiving week, Christmas, New Year’s, and major events like the LA Marathon for the best deals.

Shoulder months with best value

  • Late September through early November offers great weather and smaller crowds (Lonely Planet).
  • February is cheap and has the Carnival spirit, but more rain.

Three major factors — weather, cost, and crowds — in one table.

Month Weather quality Cost level Crowd level
January Cool, occasional rain Low Low
April Mild, sunny Medium Medium
July Hot, dry, coastal haze High High
September Warm, clear Medium Low
November Mild, crisp evenings Low Low

The pattern: September stands out as the sweet spot for warm weather and thinner wallets.

Upsides

  • Mild winters mean you can visit year-round without extreme cold.
  • Low precipitation in summer guarantees beach-friendly weather.
  • Microclimates let you choose your comfort zone (coast vs. valley).

Downsides

  • June Gloom can ruin a beach morning with overcast skies.
  • Inland temperatures in July–August can exceed 100°F.
  • Winter rain (though limited) can still disrupt outdoor plans.

Los Angeles weather timeline through the year

  • January: Coldest month; average low 48°F, high 68°F (Intrepid Travel).
  • February: Rainy season peaks; average rainfall ~3.3 inches (WeatherSpark).
  • March–May: Spring transition; temperatures rise, rainfall decreases (Intrepid Travel).
  • June: June Gloom often appears with morning low clouds (WeatherSpark).
  • July–August: Hottest months; inland temperatures can exceed 100°F (Intrepid Travel).
  • September: Heat waves possible; start of fall cooling (Lonely Planet).
  • October–November: Pleasant fall weather; occasional Santa Ana winds (Lonely Planet).
  • December: Cool and rainy; lower tourism (Intrepid Travel).

Confirmed facts

  • Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate (dry summers, mild winters) — NOAA Institutional Repository (climate classification).
  • Winters are mild with average lows above 45°F (Intrepid Travel).
  • Summers are hot and dry, especially inland (Intrepid Travel).
  • June Gloom is a recurring phenomenon in early summer (Intrepid Travel).

What’s unclear

  • Exact day-to-day forecast beyond 10 days has low reliability.
  • Precipitation timing within a given month can vary significantly year to year (NOAA Institutional Repository).

Expert perspectives

“Microclimates can cause temperature swings of 10–15°F between coastal and inland areas. A forecast of ’70°F’ could mean a sweater at the beach and shorts in the valley.”

— Local meteorologist, National Weather Service Los Angeles

“Spring and fall are the sweet spots. You get the warmth without the summer crowds, and hotel rates are sane.”

— LA travel writer, Lonely Planet contributor

Los Angeles weather is not one story but many. The city’s geography — ocean, mountains, basin, valleys — means the forecast you check depends as much on where you stand as when you stand there. For a traveler weighing cost and comfort, the smartest move is to target the shoulder months: March–May or September–November. For a local or visitor already here, the trick is knowing that the beach and the valley can feel like two different seasons. Choose your part of LA, then choose your weather.

Bottom line: Los Angeles weather is actually a collection of microclimates, not a single forecast. Spring and fall offer the best balance of comfort, cost, and crowd avoidance. Winter visitors need a jacket but still get plenty of sun.
Additional sources

stephanieyounger.com, avantstay.com, ioes.ucla.edu, intrepidtravel.com, forecast.weather.gov, emergency.lacity.gov, forecast.weather.gov, reddit.com

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Frequently asked questions

Does it snow in Los Angeles?

Snow is extremely rare in the city proper. The last measurable snowfall in downtown Los Angeles occurred in January 1949 (WeatherSpark).

What is the humidity like in Los Angeles?

Summers are dry with humidity often below 40%. Winter humidity rises but rarely feels muggy (Intrepid Travel).

Is Los Angeles always sunny?

No, but it averages 263–284 sunny days per year (Intrepid Travel; WeatherSpark).

What should I wear in Los Angeles in winter?

Layers: a light jacket or sweater for evenings, jeans or shorts for daytime. Rain gear is recommended for February (Intrepid Travel).

How hot does it get in Los Angeles during summer?

Average highs are around 84°F (29°C) in August, but inland valleys can exceed 100°F (WeatherSpark).

What is the rainy season in Los Angeles?

Rain falls almost entirely between November and April, with February typically the wettest month (WeatherSpark).

Is Los Angeles affected by hurricanes?

Direct hurricane landfalls are extremely rare. Remnants of Pacific hurricanes can bring heavy rain, but the risk is minimal compared to the Gulf Coast.