Riverside–San Bernardino, CA is heading into a mostly sunny Friday with highs near 78°F — the best outdoor day of the week before a gustier, cooler weekend sets in. Get outside now while conditions are ideal across the Inland Empire.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service calls for mostly sunny skies today with west winds from 0 to 15 mph and afternoon gusts up to 25 mph. Temperatures climb to near 78°F before easing back to around 56°F overnight under partly cloudy skies. It’s a slight warming from recent days — a great window for a morning walk along the Santa Ana River Trail, a tee time at a local course, or outdoor gear deals you’ve been holding off on. No rain threat through the weekend; the Weather Prediction Center puts flash flood probability below 5 percent through Saturday morning.
Best Window To Be Outside
Mid-morning through early afternoon is your sweet spot today. Saturday still looks decent — mostly sunny near 75°F — but NWS San Diego forecasters note the marine layer deepens significantly through the weekend, pushing night and morning low clouds well inland and onto the coastal slopes of the mountains. More critically, Saturday afternoon into Sunday evening brings gusty southwest to west winds for the mountains and deserts, with gusts of 40 to 50 mph and isolated gusts to 65 mph. Planning a Big Bear or Idyllwild trip? Head up Saturday morning and get back before evening.
Wind and Allergy Risk
Those churning southwest winds will kick pollen counts higher across the valley this weekend. Spring allergies are peaking in the Inland Empire, and gusty days amplify airborne irritants. Running a HEPA air purifier indoors can make a noticeable difference for sensitive residents. Limit prolonged outdoor exposure Sunday when winds are strongest. No severe storm threat is active — the Storm Prediction Center has no outlook for this area.
Local Events This Weekend
Tonight, the Coachella Valley Firebirds take on the Colorado Eagles in Round 3, Game 2 at Acrisure Arena at Greater Palm Springs — fully indoors and a smart call weather-wise. Show your support with Official team gear on Fanatics. On Saturday, Lady A performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio on May 16 — another climate-controlled venue, which is excellent timing as afternoon winds build outside. Get tickets on SeatGeek or Find tickets on StubHub before the show fills up.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light layers work through Friday. Saturday morning lows drop near 55°F, and with wind gusts picking up by afternoon, a windbreaker is a smart addition. Hitting the trails near San Bernardino National Forest? A solid pair of waterproof hiking boots handles damp morning terrain left by the marine layer. For backyard evenings, stock up on TIKI Brand citronella torch fuel — Friday night is your best outdoor window this week. If you’re squeezing in a Saturday lake morning before the wind arrives, UPF 50+ fishing shirts for $6.50 are an unbeatable deal on sun protection.
Dinner Tonight
A mild, sunny Friday calls for something easy — pasta or a quick stir-fry comes together fast after a long week and works with whatever’s already in the kitchen. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Saturday holds mostly sunny near 75°F before clouds and wind build by evening. Sunday brings gusty conditions with Inland Empire highs in the 70s — 4 to 8 degrees below average for inland valleys according to the National Weather Service. Monday kicks off a warming trend that extends Tuesday through Thursday. Enjoy today’s calm — it’s the best stretch of the week.
