Riverside and San Bernardino are in for a sunny, hot Thursday with a high near 100°F, so plan errands, workouts, or yard work for the morning and save the shade for the afternoon. Overnight lows dip to a comfortable 68, and the west wind stays light at 0 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.
Today’s Setup
The National Weather Service says today’s heat is running about 5 degrees above average, with widespread moderate HeatRisk across the Inland Empire and major HeatRisk out in the lower deserts. The good news: forecasters expect “greater cooling” starting Friday, when highs drop to near 94°F, with temperatures settling back to around average right through the weekend and into early next week.
Best Window To Be Outside
Get outside before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. while the sun is lower. If you’ve got a tee time at one of the local courses, book early morning — a golf hat visor is worth packing along with extra water. If the valley heat gets old, Big Bear is the classic Inland Empire escape for a cooler weekend day trip once temperatures ease Friday and Saturday.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
Monsoonal moisture is returning today in south-to-southeast flow aloft, bringing a 10 to 20 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, mainly over the mountains and desert slopes rather than the valley floor. That chance ticks up to 15 to 25 percent Friday afternoon before easing off again into next week. The bigger concern through midday and early afternoon is heat — pace outdoor activity, hydrate often, and check on pets and neighbors, especially given the region’s wildfire-prone dry landscape.
What To Wear Or Bring
Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, and a wide-brim hat or golf hat visor are the move today. If you’re cooling off at the pool or a local lake, the 2-Person Intex Floating Lounge with Cooler is currently $24 on Amazon and built for exactly this kind of afternoon.
Game Day And Weekend Events
The Los Angeles Angels host the Detroit Tigers at Angel Stadium July 18 and 19 — plan for warm evening tailgating conditions typical of mid-July in Southern California, and grab a Los Angeles Angels jersey or Los Angeles Angels fitted cap before first pitch. Find tickets on StubHub or Get tickets on SeatGeek if you’re headed out. Farther south, Ed Sheeran brings the LOOP Tour to Petco Park on July 21 — an Ed Sheeran t-shirt or Ed Sheeran hat makes for a solid concert-night grab if you’re making the trip.
Tonight’s Dinner
With clear skies and light wind, tonight is perfect grilling weather — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob all work well. An instant-read meat thermometer keeps things safe and juicy, and a grill brush and scraper set makes cleanup painless. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Expect a steady cooldown: Friday’s high near 94°F, Friday night dipping to around 66, and temperatures holding close to seasonal norms into the weekend and early next week, per NWS San Diego. Check the outdoor gear deals page before your next hot-weather outing.
