California starts this Saturday with crisp, early sunshine stretching over East L.A., casting long shadows across quiet streets as the region prepares for a busy Thanksgiving travel surge. Skies look clear now, but subtle moisture hangs in the air, hinting at the wetter pattern moving in by Thursday and Friday. Drivers heading out today should enjoy smooth travel, though conditions change fast by midweek.
According to the National Weather Service, East L.A. warms into the low 60s today under bright skies. Winds stay light and comfortable, making it a good window for errands, yard cleanup, or early holiday prep. But the calm doesn’t last. Clouds begin building later tonight as a Pacific system approaches, bringing a slight rain chance after 4 a.m.
The bigger shift begins Thursday, when widespread rain becomes likely from morning through late evening. Models show steady showers during the afternoon, followed by a higher chance of evening rain and possibly a thunderstorm. To be fair, this is classic November weather for Southern California—brief but sharp system swings that travel quickly inland. Even so, wet pavement, reduced visibility, and scattered slowdowns along I-5, I-10, and the 60 are likely. Early Thanksgiving travelers should plan buffer time and expect backups near downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.
Friday eases only slightly. A 50% chance of showers lingers through the day, with isolated thunder possible in the afternoon. Roads will stay damp, and cloud cover keeps highs in the low 60s. The system gradually weakens by evening, but travel corridors remain busy as holiday movement increases.
The weekend turns brighter. Saturday brings mostly sunny skies and highs near 68—ideal for last-minute travel prep. Sunday warms again with abundant sunshine and highs in the upper 60s.
Five-Day Outlook
Saturday: Sunny, 63
Sunday: Partly cloudy, 47
Monday: Mostly sunny, 68
Tuesday: Partly cloudy, 51
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, 68
