You’ve finally cleared the calendar. The flight is booked. That midcentury modern Airbnb with the kidney-shaped pool is waiting. But then you check your phone and see a cloud icon for Tuesday. Your heart sinks. Does "cloudy" in the desert mean a ruined vacation?
Honestly, no.
Palm Springs weather is a different beast entirely. It’s not just about the numbers on the screen; it’s about the microclimates, the mountain shadows, and the bone-dry air that makes a 65-degree day feel like a 75-degree afternoon. If you’re looking at the Palm Springs 5 day weather forecast starting today, January 18, 2026, you’re actually walking into one of the most interesting meteorological weeks of the season.
The Current Vibe: Sunday, January 18
Right now, it’s 56°F. It’s a crisp Sunday night with a 4 mph breeze coming off the San Jacinto mountains. If you were standing on Palm Canyon Drive right now, you’d want a leather jacket or a thick sweater.
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Today was a bit of an outlier. While we usually expect wall-to-wall sun, we hit a high of 74°F under mostly cloudy skies. That’s actually perfect walking weather. When the sun hides behind the clouds in the desert, you lose that "intensity" that usually fries your shoulders by noon. Tonight is dropping to 55°F, staying clear and calm.
Breaking Down the Palm Springs 5 Day Weather Forecast
Let's get into the nitty-gritty of what the next few days look like. It’s a bit of a "tale of two deserts."
Monday, January 19: The Perfect 10
If you could bottle up a day and sell it to tourists, Monday would be it. We’re looking at a high of 78°F and a low of 53°F.
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- Conditions: Pure, unadulterated sunshine.
- UV Index: 3 (Moderate). You’ll still want the SPF if you’re hiking the Bump and Grind trail.
- Precipitation: 0%. Literally zero.
This is the day for the pool. Because the humidity is sitting at a measly 16%, the air feels light. You won't feel "sweaty" at 78°F; you'll just feel warm and comfortable.
Tuesday, January 20: The Dip
The temperature starts its slow descent here. We’re hitting 71°F for the high and 52°F at night. It’s still sunny, but you’ll notice the difference. That 7-degree drop means the shadows feel much colder than the sun-drenched spots. It's the classic "desert layering" day. Short sleeves for the 2 PM coffee run, but a denim jacket by 4:30 PM.
Wednesday, January 21: The Clouds Return
We’re shifting into a "mostly cloudy" phase. The high is 67°F.
Now, here’s what's funny about Palm Springs: a 67-degree day with clouds feels significantly cooler than a 67-degree day with sun. Without the direct radiation hitting the desert floor, the air holds a bit of a bite. Humidity is still low at 19%, and there’s a tiny 10% chance of a stray sprinkle.
Thursday, January 22: Sweater Weather
This is the "coldest" day of the stretch. We’re looking at 64°F for the high and a low of 49°F. It’s going to be cloudy.
If you’re heading to VillageFest on Thursday night, dress for the 40s. Once that sun goes down behind the mountains (which happens earlier in the valley because of the peaks), the temperature drops like a stone.
Friday, January 23: The Recovery
We start to bounce back on Friday. Partly sunny with a high of 65°F and a low of 49°F. It’s a great day for the Southwest Arts Festival over in Indio, where the air might be a bit more still.
Why the Mountains Change Everything
You can't talk about the Palm Springs 5 day weather forecast without mentioning the San Jacinto Mountains. They stand 10,000 feet tall and act as a massive wall.
They create something called a "rain shadow." This is why even when the forecast says there's a 10% chance of rain (like on Wednesday or Thursday), you often won't see a drop. The clouds dump their moisture on the other side of the peaks or up in Idyllwild, leaving the valley floor dry.
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However, they also create "the wind." On Sunday, we’re seeing an east wind at 4 mph. On Friday, it flips to the north at 5 mph. These are "gentle" by Palm Springs standards. If you see a forecast with winds over 20 mph, that’s when the sand starts blowing, and you’ll want to move your dinner plans indoors.
What to Actually Pack (A Realist's Guide)
Forget the "it's a desert" myth that it's always hot. In January, you need a strategy.
- The Base Layer: T-shirts or linen shirts for the midday sun.
- The "Sunset" Layer: A light down vest or a chunky sweater. You will need this the second the sun disappears behind the mountain at 4:30 PM.
- The Night Layer: A real coat. 49°F in the desert feels remarkably cold because of the lack of humidity. There’s no "blanket" of moisture to hold the heat in.
- The Footwear: Stick to closed-toe shoes for the evenings. Your toes will thank you.
Actionable Tips for Your Week
- Golfers: Aim for Monday or Tuesday. The sun is out, and the wind is negligible (4 mph).
- Hikers: Wednesday and Thursday are your best friends. 64-67°F is the "Goldilocks zone" for the Palm Canyon trails. You won't overheat.
- Pool Seekers: Monday is your only "true" pool day this week. 78°F with zero clouds is the sweet spot. By Thursday, 64°F and cloudy is definitely not bikini weather unless the pool is heated to 90 degrees.
- Event Goers: If you’re hitting the American Express Golf Tournament starting Monday, the weather is spectacular. Just remember that the wind direction changes from East (Sunday) to North (Monday), which can mess with a long drive on those La Quinta courses.
Basically, keep an eye on the sky but don't cancel your plans. The desert is moody in January, but even a "cold" 64-degree day here beats a snowy afternoon anywhere else.