Downtown Los Angeles woke up Thursday, May 14, 2026, under a classic dose of May gray: cool, mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid 50s. The marine layer is expected to thin through late morning, opening the door to mostly sunny conditions and an afternoon high near 74°F. Light south-southwest breezes should keep the basin feeling comfortably mild through the afternoon.
Afternoon Winds And Weekend Seas
South winds of 5 to 10 mph are on tap for this afternoon, but things get livelier in the usual wind corridors. Late today and tonight, gusts of 20 to 35 mph are possible along the Central Coast, across the Antelope Valley, through the Interstate 5 corridor and over the interior mountains. Winds are forecast to strengthen Friday into the weekend, with gusts of 40 to 55 mph possible in some mountain and desert passes and parts of western Santa Barbara County, where local Wind Advisories could be posted.
Out on the water, Small Craft Advisories are already in effect for several nearshore zones and Gale Watches are up for the outer waters from Saturday into Sunday. Steep seas building to 10 to over 15 feet could make boating and surf conditions hazardous, according to the NWS Los Angeles and the marine forecast.
Morning Fog, Mostly Sunny Afternoons
Patchy fog and low clouds will cling to the coast through mid morning, especially around the LAX corridor and nearby coastal neighborhoods, before clearing quickly inland to mostly sunny skies. As the day wears on, afternoon humidity will drop and temperatures will climb a bit, with inland areas feeling noticeably warmer than the beaches. It is a good day to schedule outdoor errands for later in the day and keep a light layer handy for the cooler morning commute.
Week Ahead
A warming trend is expected early next week, with highs rising into the upper 70s on Monday and the low 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday away from the immediate coastline. Periods of weak offshore flow Monday and Tuesday could bump coastal temperatures up a notch, although beaches will still run cooler than inland spots. If you are planning outdoor activities inland by midweek, expect warmer and drier conditions.
What To Do
Plan for some extra commute time when morning fog knocks down visibility, secure lightweight patio furniture and outdoor decor before the stronger winds arrive, and think twice about marina trips while marine advisories are posted. For a deeper dive into the recurring marine layer and the recent pattern, check out our earlier look at how downtown was smothered in May gray.
