Memorial Day in downtown Los Angeles is starting on the chilly, gray side, with Monday, May 25, 2026, rolling in under a blanket of low clouds and temperatures parked in the mid 50s. Inland neighborhoods are lined up for a more pleasant finish, with afternoon highs expected to top out near 72°F, once the stubborn morning fog and low clouds finally peel back. Coastal areas will hang onto the gloom longer, but most inland valleys and neighborhoods should be basking in sunshine by midafternoon, right on time for holiday plans.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
For now, south-southwest breezes stay on the mild side, but the calm will not last. Through the afternoon, winds are expected to build into the 0 to 10 mph range, with gusts that could reach up to 20 mph near exposed hills and along the shoreline. Even stronger, gustier conditions are lined up for Tuesday and Wednesday. The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard notes that wind advisories may be issued for parts of the region, so it is a good time to tie down loose patio furniture and take extra care if you are driving a high-profile vehicle on open stretches of road.
Patchy Drizzle And Cooler Midweek
Overnight into Tuesday, the marine layer is expected to deepen again, which means patchy drizzle late Monday night into Tuesday morning and a cooler feel along the coast. Highs near the beaches on Tuesday should stay in the upper 60s. Forecasters also point to a 10 to 30 percent chance of light showers on Wednesday, mainly across interior mountain areas, along with a small 5 to 10 percent chance of a stray thunderstorm there late Wednesday. Snow levels at night could dip to roughly 6,000 to 8,000 feet in the higher terrain, so anyone heading into the mountains should plan for a colder, potentially slushy finish to the day.
Coastal And Marine Concerns
Coastal neighborhoods will bear the brunt of the thickest fog and coolest temperatures through at least Tuesday mornings, while inland spots clear out faster. Beachgoers should be ready for choppy surf and rapidly changing conditions. The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard is also flagging the potential for small craft advisories and gale-force gusts over the outer waters from Tuesday into Wednesday, along with pockets of elevated surf on some shorelines. If you are planning to hit the beach or head out by boat, check in with local lifeguards and monitor marine advisories before you go.
Bottom line: pack a light jacket for the foggy start, enjoy the inland sunshine once skies clear this afternoon, and keep an eye on the winds and marine alerts if your holiday plans take you onto the water or anywhere near it over the next few days.
