Downtown Los Angeles started Thursday, April 16, 2026, under a dull gray lid of patchy fog and mid-50s temps, but the calm, cool vibe will not last. The marine layer is expected to clear by late morning, with highs near 73°F this afternoon before a stronger, warmer offshore pattern muscles in tonight into Friday.
Foggy Start, Warmer Finish
Patchy fog will hang on in low-lying neighborhoods and across the LA Basin through about 11 a.m., then skies should break into partly sunny conditions. Light south-southwest breezes of roughly 0–10 mph will help nudge downtown into the low 70s, with inland neighborhoods running a few degrees warmer.
According to the National Weather Service, there is still a slight chance of light rain early next week, but for now the story is all about the flip from onshore gloom to a drier offshore setup.
Offshore Winds Kick Up Into Friday
The offshore flow is expected to tighten Thursday night and peak on Friday, setting up a Santa Ana-style push that will dry out the air and warm both the coast and the valleys. This pattern follows a string of similar April events; see Santa Ana sizzler for background on how the recent gusty episodes have played out around downtown.
Advisories and Marine Impacts
Wind advisories are in effect across foothill areas, the Antelope Valley and parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties from Thursday afternoon into early Friday morning. Over the water, Gale Warnings and Small Craft Advisories are posted for portions of the outer waters this afternoon into Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
If you are headed onto the water or your commute takes you through exposed canyons and passes, this is the time to tie down anything that can fly and budget some extra travel time, especially late Thursday and again Friday morning.
Looking Ahead
Winds should ease by Saturday even as inland highs climb into the mid-80s away from the immediate coast on both Saturday and Sunday. Forecast confidence drops off by early next week, but a weak system could bring a slight chance of light rain between Monday, April 20, 2026, and Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
