Los Angeles in January

In January, Los Angeles averages 20°C (68°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 6 days of rain (79 mm total).

High season

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

January is a great month to visit Los Angeles: pleasant temperatures and relatively few wet days.

20°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
6
Rain days
79 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Los Angeles

10th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
22%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
10 h 8 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Los Angeles (10th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 4°C below the annual average (24°C). January runs roughly the same as December (20°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Los Angeles

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:58 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:06 PM
Day length
10 h 8 min

Times shown for Los Angeles local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Los Angeles — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Los Angeles's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:58 AM – 6:38 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:38 AM – 7:38 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:26 PM – 5:26 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:26 PM – 6:06 PM

📅 When to book — Los Angeles in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (High season) and Los Angeles's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-4 months
Prices are above off-season but not the absolute peak. Tuesday/Wednesday departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
3-5 months
Wide selection still available at this lead time. Premium properties book first; consider 'last-minute deal' availability at 2-week mark if your dates are flexible.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

January in United States — events that affect travel

Known cultural, religious, or national events that surge prices, fill hotels, or close businesses during this month. Plan around them, or build your itinerary around the ones you'd like to see.

🎄
US Christmas/New Year Window
Travel surge · high impact

Major travel surge plus widespread Dec 24-26 and Jan 1 business closures.

Plan: Book flights and hotels well ahead; expect many restaurants/shops closed Dec 25 and Jan 1.

Crowds & pricing — January in Los Angeles

High season

This is a busy month in Los Angeles — not the absolute peak, but tourist numbers are clearly elevated. You'll feel it at headline attractions on weekends and in the historic centre, though side streets and lesser-known sights stay manageable. Prices are above off-season but not at their summit. A good week for first-time visitors who want everything open without the worst of the crush.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Los Angeles

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.2
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Los Angeles — January

14.9°C (59°F)
cold
wetsuit territory for most people

Across the year Los Angeles's sea swings from 14.5°C (February) to 21.2°C (August) — January sits at 14.9°C.

Los Angeles in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 20°C / 68°F 9°C / 48°F 79 mm 6 0
February 20°C / 68°F 10°C / 50°F 91 mm 6 0
March 21°C / 70°F 11°C / 52°F 56 mm 5 0
April 22°C / 72°F 12°C / 54°F 23 mm 3 0
May 23°C / 73°F 14°C / 57°F 5 mm 1 0
June 25°C / 77°F 16°C / 61°F 2 mm 0 0
July 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 0 mm 0 0
August 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 2 mm 0 0
September 28°C / 82°F 17°C / 63°F 5 mm 1 0
October 26°C / 79°F 15°C / 59°F 13 mm 2 0
November 23°C / 73°F 12°C / 54°F 28 mm 3 0
December 20°C / 68°F 9°C / 48°F 56 mm 5 0

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Los Angeles in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Los Angeles in January?

In January, Los Angeles averages a high of 20°C (68°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Los Angeles in January?

January sees occasional rain in Los Angeles, with about 6 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Los Angeles?

January is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Los Angeles in January?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full January packing list for Los Angeles for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Los Angeles on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.