So, you’re looking at the 5 day forecast for long beach california and wondering if you should finally wash the car or just keep waiting for the next atmospheric river to do it for you.
Honestly? It's kind of a mixed bag right now.
We are currently sitting in that classic January sweet spot where the mornings feel like a meat locker and the afternoons make you regret wearing that "cute" wool sweater. Long Beach is doing its usual thing—teasing us with sunshine while keeping the marine layer tucked in its back pocket.
What the Next 5 Days Actually Look Like
If you’re planning a trip to Belmont Shore or just trying to figure out if you can bike the beach path without getting blasted by a headwind, here is the breakdown.
Wednesday, January 14: The Peak of the Heat
Today is basically a gift. We’re looking at a high of 79°F. That is significantly warmer than the usual 66°F January average. It’s sunny, clear, and the humidity is hovering around 41%. If you have a lunch break, take it outside. Seriously. By tonight, it’ll drop to 47°F, so don't be fooled by the afternoon glow.
Thursday, January 15: Staying Bright
Tomorrow stays sunny but dials it back a notch to 75°F. The winds are coming from the northwest at a gentle 6 mph. It’s perfect "windows down" weather. The low will be around 51°F.
Friday, January 16: The Shift Begins
Friday is where things start to get a bit moody. We’ll hit 74°F during the day, but the clouds are going to start rolling in by the evening. There is a tiny 10% chance of rain at night. It's probably not enough to soak the ground, but enough to make the air feel heavy.
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Saturday, January 17: Grey is the New Black
Saturday is looking mostly cloudy with a high of 77°F. It’s going to feel a bit muggy compared to earlier in the week. Humidity is dropping to 35%, which is weirdly dry for a cloudy day, but that’s the L.A. basin for you. Lows stay at 52°F.
Sunday, January 18: The Cool Down
By Sunday, the "heatwave" (if you can call it that) is over. We’re back to a mostly sunny 73°F. It’s the kind of day where the shade feels cold but the sun feels hot. You’ll be layering up and down every twenty minutes.
Why Long Beach Weather is So Hard to Predict
People think Southern California weather is "boring" because it’s always sunny.
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Those people don't live here.
We have these hyper-local microclimates. The 5 day forecast for long beach california often looks different than Downtown L.A. or even Irvine. Why? The Port. The massive concrete expanse of the Port of Long Beach acts like a heat sink, while the actual water provides that cooling "onshore flow."
When the Santa Ana winds kick up—which we’ve seen hints of this week—the whole system gets flipped. Usually, the ocean keeps us cool. But when those winds blow from the desert, they compress and heat up as they drop down the canyons. That's why we're seeing 79-degree days in the middle of January.
Sneaker Waves and Beach Hazards
If you’re a surfer or just someone who likes to walk near the waterline, listen up. The National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazards Statement effective through Thursday evening.
We are talking about sneaker waves and strong rip currents.
Breaking waves of 7 to 12 feet are expected along the coast. Sneaker waves are no joke—they can surge much further up the beach than the waves before them, catching you off guard and pulling you into the cold Pacific. If you’re heading to the Peninsula or near the jetties, keep your eyes on the water. Never turn your back on the ocean.
Dressing for the Long Beach "Winter"
Since the temperature swing between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM is nearly 30 degrees, your wardrobe needs to be tactical.
- The Base Layer: A light T-shirt. You’ll need this for the 79-degree afternoon.
- The Mid Layer: A light hoodie or denim jacket. Essential for when the sun goes behind a building.
- The Shell: A windbreaker if you’re near the water. That breeze off the Queen Mary is biting once the sun drops.
Actionable Tips for the Week Ahead
- Hydrate more than usual: These dry, sunny January days can dehydrate you faster than the humid summer ones because you don't feel yourself sweating as much.
- Check your tires: We’ve had some light rain earlier this month, and Friday’s 10% chance could bring up the oil on the 710 or the 405. If the roads get misty, they get slick.
- Protect your plants: If you’ve got sensitive tropicals on your patio, that 47-degree dip tonight might be a bit much for them. Move them closer to the house.
- Sunscreen is still a thing: A UV index of 3 doesn't sound like much, but if you're out at the Pike all afternoon, you'll still get a burn.
Keep an eye on the Saturday clouds. While the 5 day forecast for long beach california doesn't show a major storm yet, the Pacific Southwest is entering a "stormy period" mid-month according to long-range models. Enjoy the 70s while they last, because the "rainy periods" usually show up right when we get comfortable.
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Next Steps for You
Check your outdoor drains before Friday evening just in case that 10% chance of rain turns into a localized drizzle. If you’re planning on hitting the water, wait until Friday when the surf hazards are expected to diminish.