Thursday, October 8, 2026

Heat Wave To End as Temperatures Fall Nearly 30 Degrees and Rain Chances Return

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Pasadena’s prolonged heat wave is expected to end Thursday as a dramatic cooling trend moves into the region, bringing temperatures from near 100 degrees to the upper 60s by Monday, along with increasing chances of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters said Thursday will be the final day of the extended hot spell, with sunny skies and a high near 98 degrees. Conditions will begin changing Friday as temperatures ease to about 93 degrees before a much stronger cooling trend arrives over the weekend.

Thursday’s weather will remain mostly clear and hot, with light southwest winds developing during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures are expected to fall to around 67 degrees under clear skies.

Friday will stay sunny but slightly cooler. High temperatures are forecast to reach about 93 degrees. Increasing cloud cover is expected Friday night, along with patchy fog developing after 11:00 p.m. Temperatures are forecast to drop to around 62 degrees.

The most significant change is expected Saturday. Patchy morning fog will give way to mostly cloudy skies, while temperatures fall sharply to around 80 degrees. National Weather Service forecasters attribute the cooling to strengthening ocean influence, increased cloud cover and a broader shift in the weather pattern across Southern California.

By Sunday, Pasadena could see its first rainfall in weeks. The National Weather Service forecasts a 50% chance of showers beginning after 11:00 a.m. Sunday under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to reach only about 74 degrees, more than 20 degrees cooler than Thursday.

Showers are likely Sunday night and are expected to continue into Monday. Monday’s high temperature is forecast to reach just 67 degrees, representing a drop of roughly 31 degrees from Thursday’s expected high.

Forecasters said moisture associated with Hurricane Rachel is expected to contribute to the wetter weather pattern. Across Los Angeles County, rainfall totals of one-quarter to one-half inch are possible Sunday, with higher amounts expected in the mountains and foothills. The forecast discussion also notes a slight chance of thunderstorms in Los Angeles County.

Winds are expected to remain relatively light throughout the forecast period, generally shifting onshore during the afternoons and averaging around 5 mph.

The weekend forecast marks a significant change for Pasadena residents. After enduring near-triple-digit temperatures for much of the week, residents can expect cooler conditions more typical of autumn, along with cloudy skies and the possibility of measurable rainfall.

Rain chances may linger into Tuesday, when a chance of showers remains in the forecast and temperatures are expected to reach about 71 degrees. Conditions should improve by Wednesday, with sunny skies returning and temperatures recovering to around 75 degrees.

 Here is the Pasadena forecast from the National Weather Service as of 2:43 a.m. Thursday:    

 Today: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Clear, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, increasing clouds, with a low around 62. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming south southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night: Patchy fog after 11:00 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Sunday: A 50 percent chance of showers after 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 74.

Sunday Night: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Columbus Day: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 67.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Tuesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71.

Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 75.