Los Angeles microclimates
Where Los Angeles typically runs warmer and cooler than the city center this fall, from the afternoon through the night.
On a typical fall afternoon, Los Angeles spans about 5°F from its warmest area, about 9 miles southeast of the city center, to its coolest, about 11 miles south of the city center. Nights span about 4°F from the warmest part of town to the coolest. Mornings span about 4°F from the warmest part of town to the coolest. Evenings span about 3°F from the warmest part of town to the coolest.
Map
Typical fall afternoon in Los Angeles
Blue areas typically run cooler than Los Angeles overall at this time of day, amber and red areas warmer. The map is smoothed to show areas rather than single blocks.
Questions
About Los Angeles's microclimates
Why do neighborhoods differ?
A few things shape how warm or cool a spot runs. Elevation: on clear, still nights cool air drains downhill and pools in valleys and creek bottoms, so low ground can be several degrees colder than a nearby hillside. Water: lakes, rivers and the ocean warm and cool slowly, keeping afternoons cooler and nights milder near the shore. Pavement and buildings: roads, roofs and walls soak up heat all day and give it back after dark, so dense areas stay warm into the night. Parks and open ground: grass, trees and fields cool off quickly once the sun goes down.
When are the differences biggest?
On clear, calm nights. Without wind to mix the air or clouds to hold heat in, each neighborhood cools at its own pace, and low spots can end up far colder than the center. Breezy or cloudy weather evens things out, and sunny afternoons are usually the most uniform time of day.
What does the map show?
How much warmer or cooler each part of Los Angeles typically runs than the city as a whole at a given time of day this fall. Clear areas run close to typical; blue areas run cooler, amber and red areas warmer. The colors show typical differences, not today's temperatures.
How do I get a forecast for my part of Los Angeles?
Add your address in Forecast Bar for hour-by-hour forecasts, radar, rain alerts and severe weather warnings for exactly where you are, on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac and Apple TV.
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Microclimates near Los Angeles
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