Los Angeles — Climate Guide
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, humidity and best time to visit Los Angeles.
Los Angeles climate at a glance
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19°C | 8°C | 79mm | 68% |
| Feb | 19°C | 9°C | 77mm | 67% |
| Mar | 19°C | 10°C | 56mm | 67% |
| Apr | 21°C | 12°C | 23mm | 65% |
| May | 23°C | 14°C | 7mm | 66% |
| Jun | 25°C | 16°C | 2mm | 67% |
| Jul | 27°C | 18°C | 0mm | 65% |
| Aug | 29°C | 19°C | 1mm | 65% |
| Sep | 28°C | 18°C | 4mm | 63% |
| Oct | 25°C | 15°C | 15mm | 62% |
| Nov | 22°C | 11°C | 27mm | 64% |
| Dec | 19°C | 9°C | 51mm | 68% |
Climate overview
Los Angeles stretches from the Pacific coast across a broad basin to the San Gabriel Mountains, and its weather varies a great deal across that area. It has a Mediterranean climate: dry, warm summers and mild winters with most of the year's rain. Coastal areas are classed as warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb), while the inland valleys are hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa).
Average highs range from 19°C in winter to 29°C in August. Annual rainfall is only about 380 mm, and almost all of it falls between November and March — July and August average close to zero. Sunshine is abundant most of the year, though the cool Pacific often brings morning clouds to the coast in late spring and early summer.
Köppen classification: Csb/Csa — Mediterranean
Los Angeles through the seasons
Winter
December – FebruaryWinters are mild, with highs around 19°C and lows of 8–9°C. Most rain falls now, often in a few strong storms. 'Atmospheric river' events can bring heavy rain that causes flooding and mudslides, especially in areas recently burned by wildfires.
Spring
March – MaySpring is mild and increasingly dry, with highs of 19–23°C. 'May Gray' brings overcast mornings at the coast, which usually clear by afternoon. Wildflowers bloom in the hills after wet winters.
Summer
June – AugustSummer is dry and warm at the coast (25–27°C) and hot inland, where the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys often exceed 35°C. 'June Gloom' brings cloudy mornings to the beaches. Rain is almost unheard of.
Autumn
September – NovemberAutumn is often the hottest time of year, with September highs near 28°C. Santa Ana winds may bring hot, dry and gusty conditions, raising wildfire danger. The first winter rains usually return in November.
What makes Los Angeles's weather distinctive
Microclimates define LA weather. On a summer day, Santa Monica might be 22°C and cloudy while Woodland Hills, 25 km inland, is 38°C and sunny. The marine layer — a layer of cool, moist air over the ocean — causes the coastal clouds of May Gray and June Gloom.
The Santa Ana winds blow from the deserts toward the coast, mostly from October to March. They bring very low humidity, temperatures sometimes above 35°C and strong gusts, which greatly increase wildfire risk. The January 2025 fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena were driven by an extreme Santa Ana event.
Best time to visit Los Angeles
September to November and March to May are the best times to visit Los Angeles, with warm, sunny days and fewer crowds. Summer is great for the beaches, though coastal mornings can be grey and inland areas very hot.
What to pack
- Light clothing plus a light jacket for cool coastal evenings
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
- Layers for cool beach mornings and hot inland afternoons
- A rain jacket in winter
- Swimwear for the beach
Frequently asked questions
Does it rain in Los Angeles?
Mostly in winter. About 380 mm falls each year, mainly from November to March, while summers are almost completely dry.
What are the Santa Ana winds?
Hot, dry, gusty winds that blow from the inland deserts toward the coast, mostly in autumn and winter, increasing wildfire risk.
Why is it cloudy in LA in May and June?
The marine layer — cool, moist air over the Pacific — forms low morning clouds known as May Gray and June Gloom.
Related reading
About this data: Monthly figures are rounded long-term averages consistent with published climate normals from national weather services and the World Meteorological Organization. Individual years can differ noticeably, and recent summers in many cities have run warmer than these averages. For current conditions and the next few days, use the live dashboard (data from WeatherAPI.com). Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.
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