Riverside is heating back up today, Thursday, August 6, with sunny skies and a high near 97°F across the Inland Empire. The National Weather Service has HeatRisk climbing to moderate for Riverside and San Bernardino through Saturday, so front-load your outdoor plans — errands, dog walks, and yard work belong in the morning, not the afternoon.
Today’s Setup
Overnight lows sat near 69°F under mostly clear skies, and today’s sunshine builds through the day with a northwest wind of 0 to 15 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph. There’s only a 3% chance of a stray shower, so this is a dry heat — no rain to cool things down. Tonight cools back to around 69°F under mostly clear skies with a light southwest breeze.
Best Window To Be Outside
Get outside before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Forecasters note nighttime and morning clouds are trying to spread inland from the coast, so early risers may catch a brief break in the glare before the sun takes over. It’s solid golf weather for an early tee time — just don’t wait until noon to make the turn.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
The San Bernardino Mountains, including the Big Bear area, carry a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms today, with that chance slowly easing into Friday and Saturday. Down in the valley, it stays dry and increasingly hot — the NWS San Diego office says HeatRisk will keep climbing through Saturday, with the low desert areas heading toward major HeatRisk and highs of 110 to 114. An Extreme Heat Warning is expected for the deserts with a Heat Advisory for the mountains and Inland Empire moving in for the long-term stretch, so plan hydration and shade breaks now.
What To Wear Or Bring
Sun protection is the name of the game — a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie deal is worth grabbing for just $5 if you’re heading out to fish or hike. Poolside or Big Bear lake trip? Pack a women’s swimsuit. For the backyard tonight, string up some outdoor string lights and pull out the patio furniture set once the sun drops and the air finally softens.
Local Games And Events
If you’re up for a drive, the San Diego Padres host the Houston Astros for Party in the Park on Friday, August 7, at PETCO Park — pack a portable propane grill for the tailgate and grab Official team gear on Fanatics or Get tickets on SeatGeek before you go. Music fans can catch the Santana & Doobie Brothers Oneness Tour on August 11 at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre — look for tickets on StubHub and a Santana t-shirt to wear to the show.
Dinner Tonight
With clear skies and light wind all evening, it’s perfect grilling weather. Fire up the grill for burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob, and keep an instant-read meat thermometer and grill brush and scraper set handy for cleanup. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Friday holds steady with sunny skies and a high near 98°F, again with gusty northwest wind. Saturday pushes hotter still, with highs ranging from the mid-90s to around 105 across the Inland Empire as HeatRisk peaks. Expect a Heat Advisory to take hold Sunday into next week before gradual cooling and drying return by the end of next week, per the National Weather Service. For more, check the outdoor gear deals hub before you head out.
