Experience a unique blend of weather across the Southwest, from Los Angeles’s radiating sunshine to the crisp, snowy landscapes of the Sierra Nevada, all expertly narrated by Amy Freeze.

In this detailed blog post, Amy Freeze, renowned meteorologist, delves into the contrasting weather patterns impacting the Southwest region. From the serene, sunlit mornings in Los Angeles to the scenic, snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada, this guide provides everything you need to know about the current weather dynamics including tips on how to prepare for fluctuating temperatures and diverse conditions. Explore comprehensive insights and prepare for the week ahead with Amy’s engaging weather narration.
Across the Southwest region, the radar shows dynamic weather patterns unfolding. In Northern California, Redding and surrounding areas are experiencing rain showers, offering some relief to the otherwise dry winter landscape. As we move into the central part of the state, snow is making its presence felt in the Sierra Nevada, particularly near Reno, providing a picturesque winter scene for the higher elevations. Farther south, the shift to Los Angeles and San Diego reveals relatively mild conditions with cloud cover but no significant precipitation at this time. Heading eastward, the story changes with Cedar City seeing some snowflakes, while Ely is also under a snowy spell, indicating wintry conditions persisting in these higher elevations. In Arizona, scattered showers are peppering the Phoenix area, moving eastward toward Flagstaff, where there’s a chill in the air and the possibility of some light snow. Meanwhile, Las Vegas remains dry under clear skies, contrasting the snowy conditions just a few hundred miles apart. Utah’s Salt Lake City is catching some snow showers, contributing to a crisp, wintery scene. With these diverse weather conditions across the region, it’s a patchwork quilt of seasonal weather.
For tomorrow morning in Los Angeles, prepare for a calm and sunny start. Temperatures will hold steady at 52 degrees from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. with a light northeast wind at 2 miles per hour. By 11 a.m., the temperature rises to 61 degrees under clear skies. Expect a pleasant morning with minimal wind, setting the stage for a sunny day.
High temperatures across the Southwest region tomorrow are looking warm, with several areas experiencing above-average readings. In California, Bakersfield is set to rise to a high of 79 degrees, while Los Angeles and San Diego will both hit 77 degrees, contributing to a seasonably warm day. Heading north, Fresno will see a high of 77 degrees, maintaining a comfortable afternoon. In Nevada, Las Vegas expects to climb to 75 degrees, slightly above average for this time of year. Ely will be cooler, reaching only 54 degrees. Arizona’s Phoenix is expected to match Bakersfield with a high of 79 degrees, while Flagstaff stays chilly at just 46 degrees, making for a stark contrast in temperatures within the state. Overall, the warmth in the western regions is influenced by a stable high-pressure system, leading to mostly clear skies and plenty of sunshine.
On the Southwest futurecast for Saturday, expect a continuation of wet weather patterns across northern California, bringing additional rounds of rain to the valleys, especially from late morning into the afternoon. For southern California, showers are anticipated to persist in regions like the San Bernardino Valley, accompanied by the risk of heavy rainfall that could lead to tricky travel and slick roads over mountainous areas. Meanwhile, keep an eye on the Rocky Mountains as snow showers develop, potentially impacting travel with accumulating snow. Further east, conditions will generally be dry, with a clear and sunny pattern persisting across the desert Southwest, providing a more tranquil weather day for locations like Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The UV index in Los Angeles is 8 on Friday and Saturday, classified as very high. This means sunburn can occur in as little as 17 minutes for unprotected skin. To avoid sun damage, make sure to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen, wear a hat, and sunglasses. Don’t forget to seek shade during peak sun hours!
For the 7-day forecast in Los Angeles: Friday: Clear skies with a comfortable high of 70 degrees and a low around 53 degrees. Saturday: Another clear day, warming up to 73 degrees with nighttime lows at 51 degrees. Sunday: Expect mostly cloudy conditions, with temperatures reaching a high of 68 degrees and a low of 53 degrees. Monday: Partly cloudy skies with highs around 68 degrees and a low of 54 degrees. Tuesday: Sunny and pleasant with the temperature hitting 71 degrees during the day and dipping to 55 at night. Wednesday: Mostly clear with a high of 71 degrees and a nighttime low around 55 degrees. Thursday: Partly cloudy conditions to end the week, with a daytime high of 70 degrees and a low of 54 degrees. Hope that helps you plan your week! Stay safe!