Riverside’s forecast today calls for sunny skies and a high near 98°F, so if you’ve got outdoor plans, plan around the morning and evening rather than midday. The National Weather Service San Diego office says this warming trend continues today across the Inland Empire before temperatures ease a few degrees for Friday and Saturday, with a high near 96°F tomorrow.
Today’s Setup
Expect a mostly dry, breezy day: west wind 0 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 25 mph this afternoon, and 0% chance of rain. Overnight lows drop to a comfortable 66°F, so patios around downtown Riverside and the Mission Inn area cool off nicely after sunset.
Best Window To Be Outside
With highs pushing 98°F, the smart move is getting outside before 10 AM or after 6 PM. That makes early tee times ideal — this is genuinely good golf weather before the heat builds. If you’re headed out for a round, Pinemeadow Golf hybrids or Pinemeadow Golf wedges are worth having in the bag, and golf shoes men waterproof help with morning dew on the fairways. Kids beating the heat at home will love a simple slip and slide in the backyard.
Heat & Fire Risk
The NWS notes widespread moderate HeatRisk for inland areas today, with today’s warming trend the peak before slight cooling Friday and Saturday. Given the Inland Empire’s wildfire-corridor terrain and dry conditions this time of year, it’s smart to have basics on hand — a smoke detector combo pack is a low-cost way to stay protected at home through fire season.
Weekend Plans & Local Events
Heading to Dodger Stadium for the Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks series on July 11 and 12? Outdoor gates mean sun exposure, so grab a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey or Los Angeles Dodgers fitted cap and check Find tickets on StubHub or Get tickets on SeatGeek before they’re gone. If live music is more your speed, Chris Stapleton’s All-American Road Show hits North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre on July 10 — look for tickets on SeatGeek and grab a Chris Stapleton t-shirt for the show.
Dinner Tonight
With clear skies and calm wind this evening, it’s perfect grilling weather — burgers, steaks, or grilled chicken with corn on the cob all work great on a night like tonight. An instant-read meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of it, and a grill brush and scraper set keeps things clean for the next cookout. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door. If you want to try something different, our smoked pork loin guide is worth a look.
Next Few Days
Friday and Saturday bring slightly cooler highs near 96°F with continued sun, though morning coastal low clouds may sneak into far western valleys at times. The bigger shift arrives Sunday, when southeasterly flow taps into monsoonal moisture — the NWS expects a chance of showers and thunderstorms building into next week, mainly over the mountains during afternoons and evenings, with rising humidity and warmer nights by midweek. For more gear ideas, browse outdoor gear deals while the heat lasts.
