West Hollywood Weather Forecast: Why January is Looking Weirdly Warm

West Hollywood Weather Forecast: Why January is Looking Weirdly Warm

Honestly, if you're looking at the weather forecast West Hollywood CA for the next week, you might think the seasons got a little mixed up. It's mid-January. Usually, we’re dodging raindrops or shivering in a light jacket once the sun dips behind the Santa Monica Mountains. But right now? It’s basically summer lite.

The current vibe in WeHo is 79°F and mostly cloudy. Two mph winds from the south are barely enough to move a palm frond.

People always talk about "California Dreamin'," but nobody mentions that "winter" here is often just a slightly less intense version of August with better lighting for your Instagram feed. If you're planning a walk down Sunset or a night out at The Abbey, you've gotta realize that West Hollywood’s microclimate is a fickle beast.

The Current 10-Day Outlook: What to Actually Expect

Don't let the "mostly cloudy" label fool you today. That 79°F high is serious business for January. If you’re visiting from anywhere east of the Rockies, you’re probably already in shorts.

Saturday, January 17, is peaking at 79°F with a low of 49°F tonight. That’s a 30-degree swing. You'll sweat at 2:00 PM and freeze at 10:00 PM. Typical. Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, stays warm at 77°F under mostly sunny skies.

The Mid-Week Shift

By Monday and Tuesday, things stabilize at a crisp 75°F. It’s perfect. It's that "Goldilocks" weather where the UV index hits a 3—enough to notice, not enough to fry.

  1. Monday, Jan 19: Sunny, High 75°F / Low 51°F.
  2. Tuesday, Jan 20: Sunny, High 75°F / Low 52°F.
  3. Wednesday, Jan 21: Partly sunny, High 74°F / Low 53°F.

Things start to "cool off" (by SoCal standards) toward the end of next week. Friday, January 23, drops to 66°F. By Sunday, January 25, we’re looking at a 20% chance of light rain with a high of 69°F. It’s not exactly a monsoon, but it’s the closest we’ll get to actual winter.

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Why WeHo Weather is Different From the Rest of LA

You’ve probably noticed that it feels different in West Hollywood than it does in Santa Monica or even Downtown. It's not your imagination.

West Hollywood sits in a sweet spot. We’re shielded enough from the coast that we don’t get the "June Gloom" fog as heavy as Venice does, but we’re not quite in the "San Fernando Valley Oven" either. Historical data shows that in the summer, WeHo can be 10 degrees warmer than the beach. But in the winter? The difference shrinks.

Right now, the humidity is sitting at a comfortable 29%. That’s dry. Really dry. You’ll feel it in your skin before you see it on a barometer.

The "Rainy" Myth

January is technically the wettest month for this area. Traditionally, we see about 3.37 inches of rain throughout the month. But this year? The chance of precipitation is hovering around 9% to 10% for most of this week. It’s basically a rounding error.

If you're out and about, keep an eye on the wind. It’s coming from the West at about 3 to 4 mph for the next several days. It’s a gentle breeze, but it carries that slightly cooler air as the sun sets.

Packing for West Hollywood: A Survival Guide

If you’re looking at the weather forecast West Hollywood CA and trying to pack a suitcase, stop overthinking it.

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Layers are the only way to survive. Seriously.

The morning starts cool. By midday, that 79°F sun is hitting the asphalt on Melrose, and it feels like 85°F. Then, the sun disappears, and the temperature craters back to the 50s. If you aren't carrying a light hoodie or a denim jacket, you're going to have a bad time.

Actionable Next Steps

  • Sunscreen is non-negotiable: Even with a UV index of 2 or 3, the California sun is direct. Apply it before hitting Runyon Canyon.
  • Hydrate like a pro: With 29% humidity, you'll get dehydrated faster than you realize.
  • Watch the Sunday rain: If you have outdoor brunch plans for January 25, keep an eye on that 20% rain chance. It’s low, but in LA, three drops of rain constitutes a traffic emergency.
  • Check the evening lows: Don't be fooled by the 79°F high today; 49°F tonight is cold enough to warrant a real coat if you're sitting on a patio.

West Hollywood weather is usually pretty predictable, but these high-70s in January are a nice break from the norm. Enjoy the sun while it lasts, because that 60-degree "chill" is coming for us by next Friday.