Los Angeles (KLAX) Temperature Market Guide
KLAX • Los Angeles International Airport
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Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) offers a unique coastal California temperature market on both Kalshi and ForecastEx. Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean, LAX experiences a Mediterranean climate heavily influenced by the marine layer, sea breezes, and occasionally the famous Santa Ana winds. Understanding the interaction between the ocean and land is essential for success in this market.
Quick Facts
| Station Code | KLAX |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Coordinates | 33.9382°N, 118.3870°W |
| Elevation | 126 ft (38 m) |
| Timezone | PT (America/Los_Angeles) |
| NWS Office | Los Angeles (LOX) |
| Resolution Source | NWS CLI Report ↗ |
About the KLAX Weather Station
The KLAX ASOS is located at Los Angeles International Airport, positioned at just 126 feet above sea level on the coastal plain of the Los Angeles Basin. The airport sits approximately one mile from the Pacific Ocean, making it one of the most marine-influenced major airport markets.
This coastal positioning is critical for temperature forecasting. The ocean moderates temperatures significantly, keeping LAX cooler in summer and warmer in winter than inland locations just a few miles away. Downtown LA and especially the San Fernando Valley can be 10-20°F warmer than LAX on hot days.
This coastal positioning is critical for temperature forecasting. The ocean moderates temperatures significantly, keeping LAX cooler in summer and warmer in winter than inland locations just a few miles away. Downtown LA and especially the San Fernando Valley can be 10-20°F warmer than LAX on hot days.
Los Angeles Climate & Temperature Patterns
LAX experiences a Mediterranean climate (Koppen: Csb) characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Pacific Ocean is the dominant climate control, keeping temperatures remarkably stable compared to inland areas.
Key Climate Factors:
Marine Layer: Low clouds and fog form over the cool ocean waters and push inland overnight and into the morning. This "marine layer" is a defining feature of coastal LA weather, keeping temperatures cool until it burns off. "May Gray" and "June Gloom" describe the persistent marine layer in late spring.
Sea Breeze: The onshore sea breeze develops most afternoons, bringing cool ocean air inland. This typically prevents LAX temperatures from exceeding the low-to-mid 80s°F even on hot days.
Santa Ana Winds: Offshore winds (typically from the northeast) occasionally develop, bringing hot, dry air from the interior deserts. These Santa Anas can push LAX temperatures into the 90s or even 100s°F.
Key Climate Factors:
Marine Layer: Low clouds and fog form over the cool ocean waters and push inland overnight and into the morning. This "marine layer" is a defining feature of coastal LA weather, keeping temperatures cool until it burns off. "May Gray" and "June Gloom" describe the persistent marine layer in late spring.
Sea Breeze: The onshore sea breeze develops most afternoons, bringing cool ocean air inland. This typically prevents LAX temperatures from exceeding the low-to-mid 80s°F even on hot days.
Santa Ana Winds: Offshore winds (typically from the northeast) occasionally develop, bringing hot, dry air from the interior deserts. These Santa Anas can push LAX temperatures into the 90s or even 100s°F.
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Winter (December - February):
Mild temperatures with highs typically in the mid-60s°F. Occasional Pacific storms bring rain and cooler conditions. Santa Ana events can bring warm, dry conditions with highs in the 70s or even 80s°F.
Spring (March - May):
The "May Gray" phenomenon peaks, with persistent marine layer keeping temperatures cool. Without Santa Anas, highs often struggle to reach 70°F.
Summer (June - August):
"June Gloom" continues into early summer with persistent morning clouds. By July-August, the marine layer becomes less dense but still influences daily temperatures. Highs typically reach only the mid-70s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Peak Santa Ana season. This is when the hottest temperatures occur at LAX. September and October can bring 90-100°F+ days when offshore winds develop.
Mild temperatures with highs typically in the mid-60s°F. Occasional Pacific storms bring rain and cooler conditions. Santa Ana events can bring warm, dry conditions with highs in the 70s or even 80s°F.
Spring (March - May):
The "May Gray" phenomenon peaks, with persistent marine layer keeping temperatures cool. Without Santa Anas, highs often struggle to reach 70°F.
Summer (June - August):
"June Gloom" continues into early summer with persistent morning clouds. By July-August, the marine layer becomes less dense but still influences daily temperatures. Highs typically reach only the mid-70s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Peak Santa Ana season. This is when the hottest temperatures occur at LAX. September and October can bring 90-100°F+ days when offshore winds develop.
Los Angeles-Specific Trading Tips
Marine Layer Depth is Key: The depth and persistence of the marine layer determines whether temperatures reach their potential. A shallow marine layer burns off early, allowing warming; a deep layer can keep temperatures suppressed all day.
Santa Ana Wind Events: Santa Ana winds create the primary opportunities for temperatures to significantly exceed normal. Watch for offshore wind forecasts and pressure gradient development.
LAX vs. Inland: Never apply inland LA forecasts to LAX. Downtown LA and especially the valleys can be 15-25°F warmer than LAX on the same day.
Time of Maximum: Due to the sea breeze, LAX often reaches its daily high temperature in late morning or early afternoon, then temperatures drop as the sea breeze strengthens.
Santa Ana Wind Events: Santa Ana winds create the primary opportunities for temperatures to significantly exceed normal. Watch for offshore wind forecasts and pressure gradient development.
LAX vs. Inland: Never apply inland LA forecasts to LAX. Downtown LA and especially the valleys can be 15-25°F warmer than LAX on the same day.
Time of Maximum: Due to the sea breeze, LAX often reaches its daily high temperature in late morning or early afternoon, then temperatures drop as the sea breeze strengthens.
Market Resolution Details
Los Angeles temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KLAX, issued by the Los Angeles forecast office (LOX).
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time.
Important Note: LAX temperatures can be dramatically different from inland LA locations. Market settlement is based solely on the KLAX station.
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time.
Important Note: LAX temperatures can be dramatically different from inland LA locations. Market settlement is based solely on the KLAX station.
Data Release Schedule
Typical release times for key data products at KLAX. Times shown in UTC.
| Data Type | Typical Time (UTC) | Variability |
|---|---|---|
| CLI Report Daily climatological summary |
09:37 UTC | ±15 min |
| 24hr High METAR with max temp |
07:53 UTC | ±1 min |
| METAR Hourly observations |
Hourly at :53 | ±1 min |
| DSM #1 Daily summary message |
01:08 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #2 Daily summary message |
22:08 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #3 Daily summary message |
22:10 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #4 Daily summary message |
01:07 UTC | Issuance time |
6-Hour High/Low Reports
These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.
05:53 UTC
11:53 UTC
17:53 UTC
23:53 UTC
Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.
Data Resources
Quick links to official data sources and tools for Los Angeles.
📊 NWS Data
🗄️ Iowa Environmental Mesonet
📈 Wethr.net Tools
Forecasting Challenges
Marine Layer Prediction: Forecasting the depth, persistence, and clearing time of the marine layer is notoriously difficult. Models often struggle with the complex ocean-atmosphere interactions.
Santa Ana Timing and Intensity: While Santa Ana events are often well-forecast days in advance, the exact timing and intensity at specific locations can vary significantly.
Morning vs. Afternoon High: On many days, the temperature peaks in late morning before the sea breeze kicks in. Missing this timing can lead to incorrect high temperature predictions.
Santa Ana Timing and Intensity: While Santa Ana events are often well-forecast days in advance, the exact timing and intensity at specific locations can vary significantly.
Morning vs. Afternoon High: On many days, the temperature peaks in late morning before the sea breeze kicks in. Missing this timing can lead to incorrect high temperature predictions.
Historical Temperature Records
Record High: 110°F recorded in September 1963 during an extreme Santa Ana event. More recently, 96°F was reached in September 2020.
Record Low: 33°F recorded in January 1949.
Remarkably Stable: LAX has only reached 100°F a handful of times in its recorded history. The marine influence keeps extreme heat very rare.
90°F+ Days: LAX averages only 5-10 days per year at or above 90°F, almost exclusively during Santa Ana events.
Record Low: 33°F recorded in January 1949.
Remarkably Stable: LAX has only reached 100°F a handful of times in its recorded history. The marine influence keeps extreme heat very rare.
90°F+ Days: LAX averages only 5-10 days per year at or above 90°F, almost exclusively during Santa Ana events.
📡 Official Data Sources
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