Riverside and San Bernardino are looking at a sunny, hot Friday with a high near 97°F, and the National Weather Service says the Inland Empire is under a moderate HeatRisk today, so plan any outdoor errands for the morning and keep water handy the rest of the day.
Today’s Setup
Expect sunshine all day with a west wind around 0 to 10 mph, gusting as high as 20 mph. The high near 97°F runs 5 to 10 degrees above average for early August, and tonight only cools to a low around 70. Saturday climbs even higher, near 99°F, with clear skies and light southwest wind.
Best Window To Be Outside
Morning is your friend this weekend. Get a walk around Fairmount Park or a round in at a Riverside golf course done before lunch — greens will play firm and fast in the dry heat, and tee times before 9 AM beat the worst of the afternoon sun. If you’re headed up to Big Bear or out toward Joshua Tree for relief, temperatures there run cooler, but pack extra water either way.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
The forecast discussion from NWS San Diego notes only isolated shower and thunderstorm chances (15-20%) over the mountains through Saturday, staying mostly north and east of the valley floor, so don’t expect relief in Riverside or San Bernardino proper. The bigger story is heat: lows are also running well above normal, which limits overnight cooldown. Anyone sensitive to heat, especially without reliable AC, should avoid strenuous outdoor work during the hottest afternoon hours and check on elderly neighbors.
What To Wear Or Bring
Lightweight, breathable clothing and sun protection are the move — a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie is on sale for just $5 right now if you want an easy upgrade for yard work or a lake trip. If the kids need a way to cool off in the backyard, a kids sprinkler toy is a cheap fix, and a portable propane grill keeps dinner prep off the stovetop and out of a hot kitchen.
Weekend Plans Nearby
If you’re making the drive toward San Diego, the Padres host the Astros for Party in the Park at PETCO Park today, August 7 — tailgating conditions there will be warm and dry, similar to what we’re seeing here. You can get tickets on SeatGeek if you’re headed down. Santana and The Doobie Brothers bring the Oneness Tour to North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre on August 11; grab a Santana t-shirt if you’re planning to go.
Dinner Tonight
This is textbook grilling weather — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob all cook well in this dry heat, and staying outside for dinner beats heating up the kitchen. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of steaks, and a grill brush and scraper set keeps grates ready to go. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Saturday pushes even hotter at 99°F before temperatures ease slightly into early next week, though NWS San Diego expects highs to stay above seasonal norms through the weekend. For more outdoor gear picks to handle the heat, check outdoor gear deals.
