Los Angeles Weather Radar
Los Angeles Live Weather
Los Angeles Live Weather Radar
Los Angeles Hourly Weather Forecast
Los Angeles 7-Day Weather Forecast
Los Angeles Weather Overview
Los Angeles weather radar is most useful when the basin looks quiet but the mountains, beaches, and valleys are changing at different speeds. Downtown Los Angeles averages about 14.25 inches of rain per year, most of it between November and March, so even one strong Pacific storm can overwhelm dry channels and freeway low spots. The NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office, WFO LOX, handles warnings for Los Angeles County, from the coast to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Los Angeles weather radar matters most during winter rain, burn-scar storms, and rare tropical moisture surges. The 1938 Los Angeles flood is still the regional benchmark for destructive basin flooding. In August 2023, Tropical Storm Hilary pushed 2.48 inches of rain into downtown Los Angeles in one day, enough to trigger widespread flood watches and mountain travel problems. A Los Angeles weather radar loop helps show whether rain is training over the 101, I-5, or foothill neighborhoods.
Los Angeles weather radar also helps when the sky stays dry. Santa Ana wind events can push wildfire smoke and dust across the metro, especially after long hot spells. Los Angeles reached 113°F on September 27, 2010, while the record low is 28°F. A quick Los Angeles weather radar check before the Hollywood Bowl, Dodger Stadium, or Santa Monica Pier gives a better read on marine-layer drizzle, incoming rain bands, and storm timing than a daily icon alone.
Los Angeles Weather Risks & Safety
Flooding & Flash Flood Risk
Flash flooding is Los Angeles's most persistent weather hazard. Slow-moving thunderstorms or tropical moisture can dump enough rain to overwhelm drainage systems within hours — especially in paved urban areas where water has nowhere to go. Check the radar to see where the heaviest rain is falling and which areas to avoid. The standing rule: turn around, don't drown. Never drive through flooded roads, even if they look shallow.
Wildfire Smoke Risk
Wildfire smoke drifts into Los Angeles even when the fires are hundreds of miles away. Upper-level winds carry smoke plumes that turn skies hazy and push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy territory. Radar can't detect smoke directly, but it shows the wind patterns and incoming fronts that determine whether smoke lingers over Los Angeles or gets pushed out. If you have asthma or respiratory issues, check the AQI alongside the radar during wildfire season.
Extreme Heat Risk
Summers in Los Angeles get dangerously hot — heat indices regularly push past 100°F, and heat waves can last for weeks. When the radar shows clear skies with no storm activity for days, that usually means the heat is building. Outdoor workers, elderly residents, and anyone without reliable AC are most at risk. Stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, and check on neighbors who might be struggling.
Flash Flood Risk
The terrain around Los Angeles funnels rainfall fast — canyon drainages, dry washes, and paved surfaces concentrate water into flows that can sweep away vehicles within minutes. The radar shows real-time rainfall rates, so you can see where the heaviest rain is falling and whether flash flood conditions are building near you. When a flash flood warning hits the Los Angeles area, move to higher ground immediately. Don't wait to see the water rise.
How to Use Los Angeles Weather Radar
Check the Los Angeles conditions first
Start with the current conditions bar before driving across downtown, the Westside, or the San Fernando Valley. Marine clouds, canyon winds, and heat can vary sharply across Los Angeles even when the regional forecast looks simple.
Play the Los Angeles weather radar loop
Run the radar animation for several frames. In Los Angeles, storm direction matters because rain can stall against the foothills, slide across the 101 corridor, or miss the basin while hitting the mountains.
Compare radar with the hourly forecast
Use the hourly forecast to see whether a shower line is a short coastal burst or part of a longer Pacific storm. That helps with I-5, I-10, and I-405 timing when roads flood fast.
Recheck during NWS Los Angeles alerts
When NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard posts a flood advisory, high wind warning, or winter storm alert for nearby mountains, refresh the radar and look for heavier cells over burn scars and canyon roads.
Who Benefits from Los Angeles Weather Radar
Commuters & Drivers
Drivers on I-5, I-10, US 101, and I-405 can spot rain bands before freeway backups start.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Hikers in Griffith Park and beachgoers near Santa Monica Pier can check drizzle, wind, and storm timing.
Event Planners & Families
Dodger Stadium and Hollywood Bowl plans are easier when rain windows are visible before gates open.
Outdoor Workers
Film crews, roofers, and port teams can watch rain, heat, wind, and smoke before exposed work turns risky.