Honestly, if you're looking at a San Bernardino weather forecast right now and thinking it's just another standard "Southern California" day, you might want to look again. It's Friday, January 16, 2026, and while the rest of the country is digging out of snow, we're sitting here with a current temperature of 57°F.
People think this valley is just a heat lamp that never turns off.
Not true.
Right now, we've got a light 5 mph wind coming from the north and a humidity level of 37%. It's crisp. It's that specific kind of Inland Empire morning where you need a hoodie at 8:00 AM but you'll be regretting your life choices by noon if you don't have a t-shirt underneath.
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The Reality of the Next Few Days
Today is actually shaping up to be a bit of a heater for January. We’re looking at a high of 76°F under sunny skies. That is well above the historical January average high of 67°F. If you’re planning on being outdoors, the UV index is hitting a 3. It’s not "burn in ten minutes" territory, but it’s enough to catch some color if you aren't careful.
Tonight, things get a little weird.
The temperature is going to dip down to 53°F, and the clouds are moving in. There’s actually a 10% chance of rain tonight. It’s basically nothing, but in this valley, a 10% chance usually means three drops on your windshield that just make your car look dirtier.
Looking Toward the Weekend
If you’ve got plans for Saturday, January 17, keep 'em. It’s going to be partly sunny with a high of 75°F and a low of 50°F. The wind picks up slightly to 9 mph from the north. It’s essentially a carbon copy of today, just with a few more clouds hanging around.
Sunday changes the vibe. We lose the sun.
It’ll be cloudy all day with a high of 73°F. The low drops to 49°F. While 73°F sounds warm, without the direct sun, the "feels like" temperature in the shadows of the San Bernardino Mountains can feel significantly cooler.
The "Microclimate" Struggle is Real
San Bernardino is basically a giant bowl sitting at the foot of some very tall mountains. That geography dictates everything. While the forecast might say it's a calm day, anyone who lives near the Cajon Pass knows that "calm" is a relative term.
Earlier this month, around January 10, we saw a massive Santa Ana wind event. We're talking gusts up to 65 mph in the foothills. When those dry, northeasterly winds blow through the pass, they compress and heat up. That’s why you’ll sometimes see San Bernardino hitting 80°F in the middle of winter while Redlands or Riverside stays five degrees cooler.
The humidity right now is around 25% to 27% for the next few days. That is dry. Like, "static electricity every time you touch a door handle" dry. It also means the temperature swings are dramatic. You can easily see a 30-degree difference between 2:00 PM and 2:00 AM.
What to Expect for the Rest of January
Looking further out into next week, the pattern holds steady for a bit before a slight cooling trend hits.
- Monday, Jan 19: Sunny and 73°F.
- Tuesday, Jan 20: Still sunny, 72°F.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: The clouds return, and we drop to 68°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: This looks like our coolest day in the immediate future, with a high of only 65°F and a 20% chance of rain.
Historically, January 23 is usually our coldest day of the year on average. This year, the forecast is actually trending right in line with that, with a projected low of 45°F on Friday night.
Misconceptions About the Rain
A lot of people think it never rains here. Actually, January is typically one of our wetter months, averaging about 1.9 to 2 inches of rainfall. But 2026 is proving to be a bit of a tease. We see these "10% chances" and "20% chances" on the forecast, but most of the moisture is staying north or getting blocked by the peaks.
The good news? California is currently drought-free for the first time in forever. We don't need the rain as desperately as we did a few years ago, but the dry air does keep the fire risk higher than you’d expect for the "dead of winter."
How to Handle This Forecast
If you're living here or just passing through, don't trust the daytime high to tell the whole story.
You need to dress in layers. Period. Start with a light base, add a sweater, and keep a jacket in the car. By 3:00 PM, you’ll be stripping down, but the second that sun dips behind the mountains at 5:02 PM, the temperature is going to fall off a cliff.
Also, watch the wind. Even a "light" 10 mph wind from the north feels biting when the humidity is this low. If you're heading up to the mountains, remember that while we're enjoying 76°F in the valley, those peaks are still holding onto their cold.
Next Steps for Staying Prepared:
Check your tire pressure. These 30-degree temperature swings between day and night can cause your TPMS light to go haywire. Also, keep an eye on the wind advisories if you're driving a high-profile vehicle through the I-15 or I-215 interchange; those North winds don't play around. Finally, hydrate more than you think you need to—this 25% humidity will dry you out before you even realize you're thirsty.