Los Angeles Winter Temperatures: How Cold Does It Get?

Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate — mild, wet winters; warm, dry summers.

January (Coldest Month) Averages

• Daily high: 65°F (18.3°C)
• Daily low: 45°F (7.2°C)
• Mean: 55°F (12.7°C)

Extremes

• Record low: 28°F (−2.2°C) — Jan 23, 1949 (downtown USC campus).
• Freeze events: Rare; last widespread freeze 1990. San Fernando Valley colder (can dip to mid-20s°F).
• Snow: Never in basin; trace in nearby mountains (San Gabriels).

Microclimates

• Coast (Santa Monica, LAX): Mildest — lows rarely <50°F.
• Inland valleys (San Fernando, San Gabriel): 5–10°F cooler nights.
• Mountains: Snow above 5,000 ft; ski areas (Mt. Baldy, Mountain High).

Rain

Winter = rainy season. Jan avg: 3.3 inches. Most rain falls in Pacific frontal systems (atmospheric rivers).