Best time to visit Los Angeles

The best time to visit Los Angeles is during spring, from April to June, when the weather is pleasantly warm and sunny.

However, anytime is good to visit Los Angeles. The city receives 3,250 hours of sunshine per year – that's more than eight hours of sunshine per day on average. Rainfall is scarce, with just 35 days with some rainfall per year.

The coastal areas, including Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and Long Beach, are particularly mild even in summer.

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Los Angeles weather

Los Angeles experiences a temperate climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild, relatively rainy winters.

However, the size of the city with its mix of hills, mountains and coastal locations creates a variety of microclimates that effect local weather conditions. Air pollution can also accumulate, especially during the dry, summer season, from May to October.

In addition, a hot and dry desert wind from the northeast – known as the Santa Ana – which usually occurs during autumn and winter, but can blow year-round, increases average temperatures, especially from from April to October when temperatures may climb above 35°C (95°F).

Summer, from July to September, is hot and sunny with an average high of 29°C (84°F). Districts close to the ocean, such as Santa Monica or Long Beach, are cooler than the central districts of the city. While in the hills overlooking the city and particually the eastern regions, which are closer to the desert, the temperature increases with highs around 35°C (95°F).

Autumn, from October through November, is mild or pleasantly warm.

Winter, from December to March, is brings mild and sunny days with occasional rainfall.

Spring, from April to June, is pleasantly warm and sunny. In June, and sometimes in May, cloudy and damp weather, sometimes foggy, accompanied by a drizzle, may occur in the morning.

Here are the average temperatures recorded at the University of Southern California (USC) campus, in downtown LA.

Which is the hottest month in Los Angeles?
August is usually the hottest month in Los Angeles, with an average high temperature of 29°C (84°F), with higher heat and humidity, and a low of 18°C (64°F).

The warm season lasts from July through September, with an average daily high temperature above 27°C (80°F).

However on the warmest days of summer, the temperature may climb to 34°C (94°F), and beyond.

Which is the coldest month in Los Angeles?
December is the coldest month in Los Angeles, with an average high-temperature of 20°C (68°F) and an average night-time temperature of 9°C (48°F).

The cool season lasts from late-November to around mid-March, with an average daily high temperature below 21°C (70°F).

When is it sunniest in Los Angeles?
The sunniest time of year in Los Angeles is usually August, with an average of 11.5 hours of sunshine per day – that's around 85% of daylight hours.

When is the sea warmest in Los Angeles?
The sea is usually at its warmest in Los Angeles during summer from July through September, when the water temperature averages a high of 18°C (64°F), which is cold for swimming.

In general, coastal waters in Los Angeles are cold for swimming year-round.

Which month has the most rain in Los Angeles?
February is usually the wettest month in Los Angeles with 84mm (3in) of rainfall on average, distributed across five days.

The rainy time of year usually lasts from late-November through March, with a greater than 10% chance of a given day being a wet day.

The dry season lasts from April to late-November. The month with the least rainfall in Los Angeles is July.

Which is the windiest month in Los Angeles?
The windiest month of the year in Los Angeles is December, with an average hourly wind speed of 13 kilometres per hour (8 mph; 7 knots).

The windy part of the year lasts from early-November through April, with average wind speeds of more than 11 kilometres per hour (7 mph; 6 knots).

The less-windy time of year lasts from May through to early-November. The calmest month of the year in Los Angeles is August, with an average hourly wind speed of eight kilometres per hour (5 mph; 4 knots).

The predominant average wind direction in Los Angeles varies throughout the year.

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Los Angeles Weather Averages

Holiday seasons

High season: Summer, from May to September;
Low season: Winter, from December to February.

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Note: Meteorological data for Los Angeles is based on weather statistics gathered for the 30-year period 1991 to 2020 by the National Weather Service (NWS / NOAA) from the closest weather station: Los Angeles / USC Campus Downtown, located 5km (3mi) southwest of downtown LA.

Advice on the best time to visit a particular destination is based on average local weather statistics, when the weather conditions are generally better than at other times of the year. We consider the high and low temperatures, risk of rain (and thunderstorms, etc.), the amount of sunshine and the sea temperature. Often, the best times correspond to high season and therefore involve higher prices.

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Latest update: Best time to visit Los Angeles: 12 May, 2024

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Disclaimer: The information on this site is provided as is, without any assurances as to its accuracy or suitability for any purpose. Weather data and conditions at any given location and time are unpredictable and variable. We assume no responsibility and can not be held legally responsible for any decisions made on the basis of the information presented on this site.

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