Los Angeles is waking up to one of the nicest days of the week — sunny skies and a high near 81°F on Thursday, May 21 — so get outside and make the most of it before a cooling trend settles in for the weekend. Check the full Los Angeles weather forecast for the days ahead.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service is calling for clear skies all day with south winds at 0 to 10 mph — calm, warm, and quintessentially LA. Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon, and the beach paths from Santa Monica to Malibu are all in prime condition. Overnight, expect patchy coastal fog to creep back in after 11 PM as onshore flow strengthens, dropping lows to around 57°F. If you’re driving early Friday near the beach or through the valleys, slow down — visibility can get dicey.
Allergy sufferers: that south wind is keeping pollen moving. Pack an allergy relief nasal spray and consider running a HEPA air purifier at home if symptoms are flaring up.
Best Window To Be Outside
All of Thursday works, but the sweet spot is mid-morning through late afternoon with temps peaking near 81°F. Apply SPF 50 sunscreen before heading out — the UV index climbs fast on cloudless May days. If you’re shopping for sun protection for the week ahead, these UPF 50+ Fishing Shirts for $6.50 are a steal for any outdoor activity.
Weekend Events & Gameday Weather
There’s a lot happening — and the weather mostly cooperates.
The Los Angeles Angels host the Athletics on Friday, May 22 at Angel Stadium. Morning fog clears by midday, leaving mostly sunny skies and a pleasant high near 75°F by first pitch. Great tailgating weather. Grab a Los Angeles Angels jersey or a Los Angeles Angels fitted cap before you head to Anaheim. You can Get tickets on SeatGeek for Friday’s game.
Also on Friday, Romeo Santos & Prince Royce bring the Mejor Tarde Que Nunca Tour to Honda Center in Anaheim — mild and fog-free by showtime.
Saturday, May 23 brings Bright Eyes to the Hollywood Bowl for their 21 Years of Wide Awake & Digital Ash celebration. Expect temps sliding into the upper 50s by showtime — bring a jacket.
Sunday, May 24 is stacked: Kesha’s Freedom Tour hits Kia Forum in Inglewood. Find tickets on StubHub and pick up a Kesha t-shirt for the show. The LA Galaxy also host Houston Dynamo FC at Dignity Health Sports Park, and LAFC faces the Seattle Sounders at BMO Stadium — both outdoor venues should see comfortable mid-60s conditions.
What To Wear
Today: a light tee and shorts are all you need through the afternoon. Toss a hoodie in your bag for the foggy evening. SPF 50 sunscreen is non-negotiable for midday hikes or beach time.
Dinner Tonight
A warm 81°F evening with a light breeze is perfect for keeping it simple — pasta or a quick stir-fry hits the spot without heating up the kitchen. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Friday cools to near 75°F with morning fog burning off by 11 AM. The National Weather Service says onshore flow strengthens through the weekend, pushing highs back to seasonal normals by Saturday. Next week, expect temperatures to run 5 to 10 degrees below normal — so enjoy today’s 81°F sunshine while it lasts.
