Climate trends at Los Angeles (1909–2025)
Los Angeles, a vibrant city with a population of approximately 11.9 million, has experienced significant shifts in its climate over the past century. The data from the Los Angeles Downtown USC station, spanning from 1909 to 2025, reveals a notable warming trend. Multiple stations in the region are included on this site, providing a broader perspective on climate patterns.
Trend Summary
During the first decade of observations (1909–1926), the mean temperature was 17.26°C. In contrast, the last decade (2016–2025) shows a mean temperature of 19.11°C, indicating a warming of 1.85°C over this period. This change highlights a significant increase in temperatures in Los Angeles, reflecting broader climate change trends.
From 1991 to 2020, the average temperature was 19.08°C, while the recent mean from 2015 to 2024 is recorded at 19.26°C. This slight increase of 0.12°C from the previous decade (2006–2015) indicates ongoing warming trends in the area.
Climate Change Impacts
As temperatures rise, Los Angeles faces increased risks associated with climate change, including more frequent heat waves and prolonged drought conditions. These impacts can have serious implications for water resources, agriculture, and overall public health.
Comparison vs National Benchmark and Paris
When comparing Los Angeles to national averages, the mean annual temperature from 1991 to 2020 for the top 500 cities in the U.S. is approximately 15.02°C. Los Angeles exceeds this benchmark by a significant margin, emphasizing its unique climate challenges. Additionally, the city's temperature is 6.48°C higher than that of Paris, highlighting the stark differences in climate between these two urban areas.
Top-5 Warm Years
- 1981: 20.49°C
- 1983: 20.48°C
- 1984: 20.24°C
- 1997: 20.17°C
- 2015: 20.16°C
The record coldest year in Los Angeles was 1909, with a temperature of 16.35°C.
For further details, you can access the raw data in CSV format here or in JSON format here. Explore our interactive climate map here.