January in Palm Springs, CA: peak season for golf — great conditions and a wide playing window. Best tee times: mid-morning through early afternoon.
| Average January Weather | |
|---|---|
| Avg daily high | 66°F |
| Avg daily low | 49°F |
| Rainy days | 4 / mo |
| Avg peak wind | 7.4 mph |
Most golfers arriving in Palm Springs in January expect wall-to-wall sunshine and warm afternoon rounds — and they're half right. What catches visitors off guard is that January is actually the coldest month of the year here, with an average high of just 66°F and lows dipping to 49°F. Early tee times feel noticeably cool, and that 17-degree daily swing means a jacket is genuinely necessary, not just a precaution.
The other surprise is precipitation. January ties February as the 2nd-wettest month of the year, with 4 rain days on average. That's still a manageable number, but it's a real step up from the 3 days in December. The silver lining: winds are the second calmest of any month at 7.4 mph, so when conditions are clear, the ball flies predictably and course conditions tend to be firm and consistent.
With lows at 49°F, booking an 8–9 AM start rather than first light lets the desert floor warm up and avoids the stiffest part of the morning chill. January's calm winds mean afternoon slots are also reliable, so you have genuine flexibility — but note that peak-season demand is highest this month, so booking two or more weeks out is advisable for preferred courses. See how conditions rate hour by hour on our playability scale.
December edges January out with a 2°F warmer high (68°F vs. 66°F) and one fewer rain day, making it marginally the more reliable month. January and February share the same 4 precip days, but February starts to warm back up to 69°F and picks up a bit of wind — averaging 8.5 mph versus January's 7.4 mph. If calm conditions matter most to you, January's wind profile is the quietest of the three.
Climate normals show the long-term picture, but day-to-day weather varies. Check today's live golf weather score for Palm Springs, CA for the current playability rating, hourly wind, temperature, and the recommended tee time window.
← December in Palm Springs, CA • February in Palm Springs, CA →
It is, but with realistic expectations. At 66°F average high and 7.4 mph peak wind, afternoon rounds are comfortable and conditions are calm — but mornings start near 49°F, which surprises many visitors used to warmer desert golf. The 4 average rain days are manageable but worth monitoring before you travel.
Overnight lows average 49°F, and tee times before 8 AM can feel genuinely cold by desert standards given the 17°F daily temperature swing. By mid-afternoon most days reach the mid-60s, which is comfortable for golf if you shed a layer. Packing a windproof mid-layer is the practical move.