Los Angeles features a semi-arid, Mediterranean-like climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round, with over 3,250 hours annually. Seasonal changes are marked by a dry summer from May to October and a rainy winter from November to April, making LA a favoured destination for outdoor activities in nearly every season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Los Angeles’ climate is shaped by its coastal location, the California Current, and surrounding mountains, resulting in notable microclimates. Summers (June–September) are hot, dry, and sunny, with average highs of 28–30°C inland and 24–25°C along the coast. Nights are mild (17–18°C). Rain is almost nonexistent in summer, and humidity is generally low, though coastal fog can bring cooler mornings. The city enjoys up to 12 hours of sunshine per day in July and August, and UV levels are very high. The Santa Ana winds, hot and dry gusts from inland deserts, can occur year-round but are most common in autumn, sometimes pushing temperatures above 35°C and increasing wildfire risk.
Winters (December–February) are mild and relatively wet, with average highs of 19–21°C and lows near 8–10°C. Most of LA’s annual 360 mm of rain falls between December and March, with February being the wettest month. Even in winter, sunny days are frequent, and rain rarely disrupts outdoor plans for long. Snow is extremely rare in the city but can fall in nearby mountains. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (18–26°C), little rain, and long, sunny days. Daylight varies from 10 hours in winter to 14 hours in summer. Winds are generally light to moderate (8–15 km/h), but can be brisk during storms or Santa Ana events. Air quality can be affected by smog, especially in the dry season, but is often cleared after rain. The Pacific Ocean remains cool year-round, with sea temperatures peaking at 21–22°C in late summer, making beach swimming most comfortable from June to October.
| Average climate data for Los Angeles, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 19 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 29 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 43 | 44 | 31 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 39 | 206 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 45 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 52 | 58 | 60 | 58 | 63 | 65 | 60 | 57 | 57 | 54 | 51 | 53 | 57 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 21 | 21 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 23 | 15 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
The best times to visit Los Angeles are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are mild (18–26°C), skies are clear, and crowds are smaller than in summer. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor activities, and exploring the city’s beaches and parks without the intense heat or peak tourist congestion.
The least favourable time to visit is during the peak of summer (July–August), when temperatures can soar above 30°C inland, beaches and attractions are crowded, and wildfire risk is highest. September and October can also be hot due to Santa Ana winds. While winter is wetter, rain rarely lasts long and the city remains pleasant for most activities.
Los Angeles has a semi-arid, Mediterranean-like climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine year-round and experiences most of its rain from December to March.
Summer temperatures in Los Angeles typically reach 28–30°C inland, with coastal areas cooler at 24–25°C. Inland heatwaves and Santa Ana winds can push temperatures above 35°C, especially in September and October.
Rainfall is scarce, with most of the city’s 360 mm annual total falling from December to March. Summer is almost completely dry, and even in winter, rain usually comes in short bursts with many sunny days.
Santa Ana winds are hot, dry winds from inland deserts that can raise temperatures above 35°C, increase wildfire risk, and lower humidity. They are most common in autumn but can occur year-round.
Yes, LA’s beaches are popular from June to October, when sea temperatures reach 21–22°C and skies are sunny. Coastal areas are cooler and often foggy in early summer, but afternoons are warm and ideal for swimming.
Pack light, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, and bring layers and a light jacket for spring, autumn, or winter. An umbrella is useful in winter, and always check the forecast for temperature swings.
Yes, LA has many microclimates. Coastal neighbourhoods are cooler and foggier, while inland valleys can be much hotter. Weather can vary significantly within short distances, so plan accordingly.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (28.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (17.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 23 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (18.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (10 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is February (43.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is June (1 mm). Over the whole year there are 205.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (6.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is June (0.9 days). Over the whole year there are 44.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is June (64.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (50.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 57.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (9.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is October (7.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (22.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (6.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 15.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July, August and September (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 4). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.
