Honestly, if you've lived in Oakland for more than a week, you know the drill. You step out of your house in the Dimond District and it’s a total washout, but by the time you hit Jack London Square, the sun is basically blinding you. It's wild.
Right now, looking at the 7 day weather forecast oakland ca, we are in that classic mid-January stretch where the atmosphere can't quite decide if it wants to be "sweater weather" or "full-on rain gear" territory.
The Week Ahead: What to Actually Expect
So, here’s the deal for the next week. We’re starting off Saturday, January 17, with a lot of cloud cover. It's mostly cloudy today with a high of 63°F and a low of 47°F. You might see a stray shower—there's about a 10% to 20% chance of rain—but it’s mostly just going to feel gray and damp.
The "rinse and repeat" cycle starts Sunday. We’re looking at a high of 64°F, which is actually pretty comfortable for January. The sun will try to peek through the clouds (partly sunny), and the wind is staying low at around 4 mph from the north.
Then Monday, January 19, is the real winner of the week. It’s looking completely sunny with a high of 63°F. If you’ve got the day off for MLK Day, it’s basically the perfect window to get outside before the humidity starts creeping back up.
The Mid-Week Shift
By Tuesday and Wednesday, we settle back into a "partly sunny" pattern. Temperatures stay remarkably consistent—expect highs right around 62°F or 63°F and lows dipping to 45°F.
Things get a little cooler as we head into next weekend:
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- Thursday, Jan 22: High of 60°F, partly sunny.
- Friday, Jan 23: High drops to 57°F. It'll feel a bit crispier.
- Saturday, Jan 24: Holding steady at 57°F, but the wind picks up a bit to 9 mph from the south.
Why Your Neighborhood Changes the Rules
The numbers I just gave you? They're the baseline. But Oakland is the land of the microclimate. Experts like meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Monterey often talk about the "marine layer" and "offshore flow," but for those of us on the ground, it's simpler than that.
If you’re in the Flats (think West Oakland or near Lake Merritt), you’re going to get that damp, foggy morning air much longer than the folks up in Montclair. The hills often sit in what’s called a "fog shadow." While the flats are shivering in 59-degree fog, the hills might be 5 degrees warmer and totally clear.
Real Talk on the Rain
Historically, January is the wettest month here. We've already seen over 3.7 inches of rain this month, which is well above the usual average. While this specific 7-day window looks relatively dry, don't get too comfortable. The ensemble models (the fancy math the NWS uses) are hinting at a much bigger storm system arriving around January 27.
Basically, enjoy this dry break while it lasts. The end of the month looks like it might bring 1.0 to 2.5 inches of rain in a single go.
Actionable Tips for This Week
- The Monday Window: If you have outdoor chores—cleaning gutters or washing the car—Monday is your best bet with 0% rain probability and full sun.
- Layer Up: With lows around 45°F and highs in the 60s, you’re looking at a 15-to-20-degree swing every single day. A light puffer or a heavy hoodie is mandatory.
- Watch the Wind: By next Saturday (Jan 24), the wind shifts to the south and hits 9 mph. It’s not a gale, but it’ll make that 57-degree air feel significantly colder if you're by the water.
Keep an eye on the sky, and maybe keep an umbrella in the trunk just in case those "10% chances" decide to consolidate over your specific block.