Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Palm Springs in January
The year's rain peaks now, with about 0.9 in (23 mm) falling in Palm Springs, alongside highs near 67°F (20°C) and lows of 45°F (7°C).
At 97/100 for comfort (2nd of 12), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 67°F (20°C)
- Avg low
- 45°F (7°C)
- Rain
- 0.9 in (23 mm)
- Humidity
- 48%
- Cloud cover
- 39%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 97/100 · Great
What January feels like
Expect mild afternoons around 67°F (20°C), good for long walks.
There's a big swing between day and night, about 12°C (22°F), so mornings and evenings feel much cooler than the afternoon.
Rain is scarce: about 0.9 in (23 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around January
January is one of Palm Springs's best months on the climate data.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort holds steady from December (97 → 97/100).
- January sits inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
What to pack for January
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 45°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Palm Springs in January
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Indian Canyons
Palm oases and streams on Agua Caliente tribal land.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Oct–Apr mornings.
Shields Date Garden
Date grove since 1924 serving date shakes and showing date history.
Why now January scores 97/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Moorten Botanical Garden
Family-run cactus garden with a glass Cactarium since 1938.
Why now Highs near 67°F and 0.9 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Free gardens and center at the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Bootlegger Tiki
Small red-lit tiki bar on Palm Canyon Drive.
Nearby in January
- Joshua Tree in January~37 mi · highs 59°F, 0.6 in rain · 5°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- La Jolla in January~80 mi · highs 63°F, 2.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Downtown San Diego & Gaslamp Quarter in January~85 mi · highs 67°F, 1.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Pasadena in January~94 mi · highs 65°F, 2.9 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~924 m to Palm Springs's ~146 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Palm Springs in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Palm Springs?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 97/100. Expect highs of 67°F (20°C) and 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain. January is inside the Oct – Apr window our Palm Springs & Joshua Tree route recommends.
How hot is Palm Springs in January?
Average highs are 67°F (20°C) and average lows 45°F (7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Palm Springs in January?
Not much: about 0.9 in (23 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 5.0 in (127 mm).
What should I pack for Palm Springs in January?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 45°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Palm Springs
Routes in season in January
- Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Oct – Apr
Planning Palm Springs in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.