Southern California Shatters Winter Heat Record as Pasadena Logs 28 Days of 80°+ Highs, Surpassing 2018 Mark
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA — Winter 2026 will go down as one of the warmest on record in Southern California, with Pasadena recording an astonishing 28 afternoons at or above 80 degrees — breaking the previous winter record of 25 days set in 2018.
That means nearly one out of every three winter days this season reached the 80s in Pasadena, a remarkable statistic for what is traditionally considered the cooler stretch of the year.
A Historic Winter for Warm Afternoons
Data spanning back to 1909 shows a long-term upward trend in the number of winter afternoons reaching 80°F or higher in Pasadena. The new total of 28 days in 2026 stands at the top of the historical record.
The previous benchmark — 25 days in 2018 — was already considered unusually warm. Winter 2026 surpassed that mark by three full days.
The long-term trendline in the dataset shows a steady increase in 80-degree winter afternoons over more than a century, reinforcing the broader warming signal in Southern California.
Nearly 33% of Winter in the 80s
With 28 days reaching 80°F or higher, roughly one-third of the winter season delivered temperatures more typical of late spring.
This level of persistent warmth carries several implications:
- Reduced winter chill periods
- Increased evaporation and soil dryness
- Elevated wildfire vulnerability heading into spring
- Higher seasonal water demand
While Southern California is known for mild winters, the frequency of 80-degree days this season stands out historically.
A Clear Upward Trend Since the Early 1900s
Historical counts from the early 20th century show far fewer winter 80-degree afternoons. While occasional spikes occurred, the overall trend line steadily climbs through the decades.
In recent years, the variability has increased, with more winters posting double-digit counts of 80°F days. Winter 2026 now sets a new high watermark for the modern climate era.
The steady increase shown in the trendline suggests that what was once rare is becoming more common.
What This Means Going Forward
A winter this warm can influence:
- Early-season vegetation growth
- Extended allergy seasons
- Snowpack impacts in nearby mountain regions
- Long-term drought patterns
For Pasadena and surrounding Southern California communities, Winter 2026 represents another data point in a broader warming pattern that has been unfolding for decades.
Whether future winters will continue to push the record higher remains to be seen — but based on the historical trajectory, warmer winter afternoons are becoming less of an anomaly and more of a recurring theme.
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