Warm, Dry Start to January with Above-Average Temperatures Expected to Persist

As the new year begins, the Coachella Valley is experiencing a warm and dry start to January. The weather pattern that dominated December, which saw a record number of days above normal temperatures in Palm Springs, is expected to persist throughout the first week of the month.

Looking back at December, Palm Springs had a remarkable 29 days with temperatures above normal, including three record highs. The month concluded with a warm 78°F on January 1st, and the trend of above-average temperatures is continuing into the new year. The region's temperatures will range from 74°F to 78°F today, which is several degrees above the typical high of 69°F for this time of year.

Currently, the skies are clear across the valley, with no rainfall on the radar and dry conditions throughout Southern California. A weak low-pressure trough is moving toward the upper Midwest, but its effects on the Coachella Valley will be minimal. By the end of the day, high clouds are expected to drift into the area, although the moisture in the atmosphere will not bring any significant rain.

Temperatures are already above normal in most parts of the valley, with Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs both sitting at 71°F as of this morning. The warm trend will continue, with highs forecasted to stay in the 70s for the foreseeable future. However, some cooling is expected as we head into the weekend, with temperatures possibly dipping into the low 70s by Saturday.

Overnight lows will remain mild as well, with the southeast end of the valley staying 10 degrees above freezing. In Palm Springs, expect a low of around 51°F, with cooler conditions in the high desert areas.

While the region remains dry, an onshore flow will bring a slight change to the weather by Friday and Saturday, potentially bringing a few gusty winds to wind-prone areas. However, no weather advisories or air quality warnings are in effect at this time.

Humidity levels will also stay low, hovering around 10% during the middle of the day, which will only increase slightly as we move toward the weekend. Despite some high clouds in the sky, conditions will remain mostly sunny.

Looking ahead, the seven-day forecast calls for continued warm, dry conditions, with temperatures staying well above normal. No significant rainfall is expected across Southern California, and high-pressure systems will keep the region’s weather stable and dry.