Today's barometric pressure in Los Angeles, a 48-hour pressure chart, and a risk score for weather-triggered migraine and headache, based on pressure drops, humidity, and temperature changes.
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While LA's mild climate seems migraine-friendly, Santa Ana wind events bring sudden pressure drops and dry heat that trigger attacks for many residents. The marine layer burning off each morning also creates daily temperature swings.
Worst season for migraines: February and March. Winter and spring Pacific storms bring Los Angeles most of its pressure drops, and even in March only 22% of days see a 5 hPa drop. No month reaches the 35% of days our index uses for a trigger season. Santa Ana winds can still change conditions quickly, and modest changes can feel significant to sensitive people.
Common triggers in Los Angeles: Santa Ana winds, wildfire smoke and poor air quality, marine layer temperature inversions. Los Angeles benefits from generally stable Pacific high pressure for much of the year, but this stability breaks dramatically during Santa Ana events. Wildfire smoke during fire season adds particulate matter triggers on top of pressure changes, making fall particularly challenging for migraine sufferers in the LA basin.
Typical pressure: Los Angeles averages 1004 hPa at rest, measured at the city's own elevation rather than corrected to sea level, and storm systems can push readings down to 997 hPa. Swings of 3-6 hPa over 24 hours are common during active weather and fall within the range most associated with pressure-triggered migraines.
2026 index: Los Angeles ranks #96 of 100 in our 2026 U.S. Migraine Risk Index, where #1 is the most challenging city for weather-driven migraine.
Can Los Angeles weather trigger migraines?
Yes. Los Angeles experiences 3-6 hPa barometric pressure swings, and research shows pressure drops are one of the most common migraine triggers. The city's specific patterns include Santa Ana winds, wildfire smoke and poor air quality, marine layer temperature inversions.
What time of year are migraines worst in Los Angeles?
In Los Angeles the most barometrically volatile stretch of the year falls in February and March. That is when weather is most likely to play a part, if weather is a trigger for you at all. See when migraine weather season starts across the U.S.
Is there a barometric pressure headache forecast for Los Angeles?
This page works as one. Many people call a headache that arrives with a weather change a barometric pressure headache, and this forecast tracks the pressure drops, humidity and temperature swings behind that idea. The score covers the next 24 hours in Los Angeles and the chart shows the next 48. It is built on migraine research, so treat it as a rough guide for other headaches. A sudden, severe headache needs urgent medical care, whatever the weather.
Your own forecast
This page shows the weather risk for everyone in Los Angeles. The MigrAid app learns yours. It saves the barometric pressure, humidity and temperature with every migraine you log, shows whether Los Angeles's swings really line up with your attacks, and alerts you when conditions match your own trigger history.