Honestly, if you're picturing Palm Springs as a 24/7 furnace where you can fry an egg on the sidewalk every day of the year, you’re missing out on the weird, beautiful reality of a desert winter. Most folks think it’s just "hot" or "not hot." But the actual weather report for palm springs california this week tells a much more nuanced story.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we're looking at a daytime high of 79°F. That’s basically perfection. It's that sweet spot where you can sit by the pool without melting, but you aren't shivering the second a cloud passes. Speaking of clouds, today is looking partly sunny with a light breeze coming out of the north at about 7 mph.
The Sundown Shocker
Here is the thing that catches tourists off guard every single time: the temperature cliff.
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In the desert, once that sun dips behind the San Jacinto Mountains, the heat doesn't just "fade"—it vanishes. Tonight, the low is hitting 56°F. You’ve got a 23-degree drop. If you head out to dinner in a tank top because it was 79°F at 3:00 PM, you’re going to be miserable by 7:00 PM. I’ve seen it a thousand times. People huddled under patio heaters at Tommy Bahama’s because they didn't believe the forecast.
Looking Ahead: A Shift is Coming
If you’re planning your week, don't get too used to the high 70s. We’re in for a bit of a cool-down.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, things get a little gloomier. We're expecting cloudy skies with a high of 75°F and a low of 54°F. It’s not exactly "cold," but that 10% chance of rain might make the air feel a bit damp. By the time we hit the middle of next week—think Wednesday and Thursday—the highs are going to struggle to break 68°F and 66°F.
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny, High 72°F / Low 53°F
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny, High 71°F / Low 52°F
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Sunny/Cloudy night, High 68°F / Low 52°F
- Thursday, Jan 22: Cloudy, High 66°F / Low 51°F
It’s a reminder that even in a playground like this, January is still winter.
Humidity and Your Skin
One thing people rarely check on the weather report for palm springs california is the humidity. Today, it’s sitting at a bone-dry 14%.
For the uninitiated, that means your moisturizer is going to disappear into your pores instantly. It also means you’re getting dehydrated way faster than you realize because your sweat evaporates before you even feel it. Drink twice as much water as you think you need. Seriously.
The UV index today is a 3. That’s moderate. It sounds low compared to the "11+" we see in July, but the desert sun is deceptive. Because the air is cool and the humidity is low, you don't feel the "burn" happening until it's too late.
What to Actually Pack
Forget the "ultimate packing list" fluff. Here is the reality based on the current data:
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- The Midday Layer: A light linen shirt or a breathable T-shirt for that 79°F peak.
- The "Safety" Sweater: You need something for the transition between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- The Real Jacket: When it hits 51°F on Thursday night, you’ll want a denim jacket or a light puffer. No joke.
Basically, the desert is a land of extremes. This week is a perfect example of that. We’ve got a mix of brilliant sun, some stubborn clouds, and a slow slide toward cooler temps.
If you're hitting the trails like Museum Trail or South Lykken, do it on Monday or Tuesday when the sun is out. If you’re more of a "shop 'til you drop" person on El Paseo, maybe save that for the cloudier Thursday so you don't have the sun beating down on you while you carry bags.
Check the wind, too. It’s calm now, but when it picks up to that 7 mph from the north, it carries a chill. Keep an eye on the sky toward the end of next week—specifically Saturday, January 24—where we’re seeing a 35% chance of showers overnight. It’s rare, but it happens.
Actionable Insight: Keep a medium-weight jacket in your car trunk. Don't rely on "feeling" the temperature while you're indoors; the desert air changes the second you step outside.