You’ve probably seen the postcards. Palm trees, eternal sunshine, and people surfing in December. While Los Angeles definitely earns its reputation as a sun-soaked paradise, the reality of the average weather for los angeles is a bit more complicated than just "hot and sunny."
Honestly, LA doesn't have one climate. It has about five.
If you are standing on the sand in Santa Monica, you might be shivering in a light jacket. Meanwhile, your friend in Pasadena is probably cranking the AC and sweating through their shirt. That’s the "microclimate" effect, and it’s the first thing you need to understand if you’re planning a trip or moving here. The Pacific Ocean acts like a giant air conditioner for the coast, but its power fades fast as you move east toward the valleys.
The Seasonal Breakdown: It’s Not Just Summer
Most people assume July is the peak of perfection. Kinda true, kinda not.
Winter in Los Angeles usually runs from December through March. This is when we get almost all of our rain. On average, downtown LA sees about 14 to 15 inches of rain a year. That’s not much compared to Seattle, but when it rains here, it pours. February is typically the wettest month, averaging around 3.8 inches of rain according to NOAA data.
But even in the "dead of winter," the average high is a crisp 68°F. You’ll see locals in parkas because we think 60 degrees is freezing, but for anyone from the Midwest, it’s t-shirt weather.
Spring and the "Gloom"
Spring is a beautiful lie. April brings wildflowers and gorgeous 70-degree days. Then May hits, and the "May Gray" rolls in. By June, it becomes "June Gloom."
Basically, the ocean is still cold, but the land is heating up. This creates a thick marine layer—heavy, low-hanging clouds—that sits over the city until noon or 2:00 PM. If you’re visiting in June hoping for a golden tan by 9:00 AM, you’re going to be staring at a gray wall of mist.
- March High/Low: 70°F / 52°F
- April High/Low: 73°F / 54°F
- May High/Low: 74°F / 57°F
- June High/Low: 78°F / 61°F
Summer and the Heat Wave Reality
July through September is the real heat. This is when the average weather for los angeles moves from "pleasant" to "intense." August is the hottest month on average, with highs hitting 84°F downtown, but that’s a deceptive number.
In the San Fernando Valley, August highs frequently push past 95°F or even 100°F.
The air is dry. Unlike the humid heat of Florida or New York, you won't feel like you're breathing soup. But the sun is incredibly strong. You’ll feel it baking your skin the second you step out of the shade.
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Interestingly, September is often hotter than July. This is the start of the Santa Ana winds. These are hot, dry winds that blow in from the desert. They knock the humidity down to single digits and send the fire risk skyrocketing. It’s a weird, electric feeling in the air—hot, gusty, and a little bit ominous.
Understanding the "Average" Rain
Rain is a rare guest here.
From June to September, the average rainfall is basically zero. It just doesn't happen. If you see a raindrop in August, people will literally stop their cars and take photos.
When the rain does come in the winter, it’s usually via "atmospheric rivers." These are long plumes of moisture that can dump three inches of rain in a single day. Because the ground is so dry and hard, this leads to mudslides and flash floods in the canyons. So, while the average is low, the intensity is high.
Fall: The Best Kept Secret
October is arguably the best month in LA.
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The June Gloom is long gone. The extreme 100-degree spikes of August have usually settled down. You get these crystal-clear, deep blue skies and average highs around 78°F. The ocean is also at its warmest point in late September and early October, usually around 68°F. If you want to actually swim in the Pacific without turning blue, this is your window.
Microclimates: Why Your App is Lying to You
When you check the "Los Angeles" weather on your phone, it’s usually pulling data from LAX or Downtown.
Neither of those might represent where you actually are.
If you are at the Getty Center, you are high up and catching ocean breezes. If you are in Burbank, you are trapped in a bowl of heat. The temperature difference between Santa Monica and Canoga Park can be as much as 20 degrees on the same afternoon.
- The Coastal Zone: (Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice) Cool, breezy, often foggy.
- The Basin: (Beverly Hills, Hollywood, DTLA) The "average" weather zone.
- The Valleys: (San Fernando, San Gabriel) Hotter summers, cooler winter nights.
Practical Advice for Navigating LA Weather
Don't let the averages fool you into packing only shorts. The most important thing to know about the average weather for los angeles is that it swings wildly between day and night.
Because the air is dry, it doesn't hold heat once the sun goes down. A 85-degree day can easily drop to 60 degrees by 8:00 PM. You will see people at outdoor dinners wearing leather jackets and sweaters in the middle of summer. It’s not just a fashion statement—they’re actually cold.
What to Pack
- Layers are non-negotiable. A denim jacket or a light hoodie should go everywhere with you, even in July.
- Sunscreen is a year-round requirement. Even on a cloudy "June Gloom" day, the UV index is high enough to fry you.
- Forget the umbrella. Unless you’re coming in February, you won't need it. If it does rain, just go to a museum; the whole city basically shuts down anyway.
If you’re looking for the absolute sweet spot, aim for late April or October. You’ll skip the fog of early summer and the rain of late winter, getting exactly what the postcards promised: seventy-five degrees and nothing but blue.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the specific neighborhood forecast for your destination rather than "Los Angeles" as a whole. Use the National Weather Service (NWS) "Point Forecast" map to see the exact temperature for the coast versus the valley before you pack your bags. If you are visiting in summer, book accommodations with central AC if you are staying inland, as older buildings in the basin often rely on window units that can struggle during 100-degree spikes.