You think you know Southern California weather. Sun, palm trees, and maybe a light jacket for the "winters," right? Honestly, that’s a rookie mistake when it comes to the Inland Empire. If you're moving to or just passing through, the weather in Fontana California will surprise you. It isn't just a slightly hotter version of Los Angeles.
It’s a battlefield of geography.
Fontana sits right in a sweet spot—or a sour one, depending on how much you hate wind—where the Mojave Desert tries to bully its way into the coastal basin. You’ve got the San Bernardino Mountains to the north and the Jurupa Hills to the south. This creates a funnel. When people talk about Fontana, they aren’t talking about "nice breezes." They’re talking about the Santa Anas.
The Wind Capital of the Inland Empire
Let’s get the big one out of the way. If you live here, you don't just check the temperature; you check the gusts. Because Fontana is positioned right near the mouth of the Cajon Pass, it gets slammed by the Santa Ana winds unlike almost anywhere else in the region.
These aren't your average winds.
They are dry, hot, and aggressive. We’re talking about gusts that regularly clock in between 40 and 60 mph. It’s the kind of weather that tips over high-profile trucks on the 15 Freeway and sends your neighbor’s trampoline into the next zip code. These events usually peak between October and February.
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Why does it happen? High pressure builds up over the Great Basin (the desert), and that air has to go somewhere. It gets squeezed through the narrow mountain passes. As it drops in elevation toward Fontana, it compresses and heats up. It’s a thermodynamic nightmare that leaves your skin feeling like parchment paper and your sinuses screaming for mercy.
Summer is a Different Beast
If you’re coming from the coast, the heat here hits differently. In July and August, the average highs hover around 94°F to 96°F. But averages are liars.
It’s not uncommon to see a string of days topping 105°F.
Unlike the humid heat of the South, Fontana is "dry." People say that like it’s a good thing. Sure, you aren't swimming through the air, but the sun feels more surgical. It’s a piercing heat. The city has actually seen a spike in "extreme heat" days over the last decade. Back in the 90s, you might get a week of 100-plus weather. Now? Research suggests we’re looking at nearly 30 to 35 days a year where the mercury crosses that century mark.
The "June Gloom" Exception
Interestingly, Fontana does get a bit of that famous California marine layer. In May and June, you’ll wake up to grey, overcast skies. You’ll think, "Oh, it's going to be a cool day."
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Wrong.
Usually, by 11:00 AM, the sun burns through that fog like a blowtorch. The temperature jumps 20 degrees in an hour. It’s a bait-and-switch that catches a lot of people off guard.
Does it Ever Actually Rain?
Briefly. Fontana gets about 14 to 16 inches of rain a year. Most of that is crammed into January and February. When it rains here, it doesn't drizzle; it dumps. Because the ground is often baked hard by the summer sun, the water doesn't soak in quickly. This leads to localized flooding, especially near the alluvial fans coming off the mountains.
And snow? Forget about it.
You might see a dusting once every twenty years if a freak "cold core" storm hits, but usually, the snow stays on the peaks of Mt. Baldy or the San Bernardinos. You get the view without the shovel. It’s the best of both worlds, honestly.
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Survival Guide: Living with the Fontana Forecast
You can't change the climate, but you can stop it from ruining your week.
- Hydrate or Die (Metaphorically): In the summer, the air is so dry your sweat evaporates before you even feel wet. You’re losing water faster than you think.
- The "Wind" Check: If you have patio furniture, bolt it down. Seriously. Or at least buy heavy-duty covers with straps. Those Santa Anas will turn a plastic chair into a projectile.
- Air Quality Matters: Because Fontana is a logistics hub with tons of trucks and sits in a bowl-like valley, the air quality (AQI) can get dicey during heatwaves. If the AQI is over 100, keep the workout indoors.
- The 2:00 PM Rule: Avoid the outdoors between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM in August. That’s when the heat is at its most oppressive.
Real Talk on Cooling Centers
If your AC goes out—which happens more than it should because the units work overtime—the city runs several cooling centers. Places like the Fontana Community Senior Center on Ceres Ave or the Jesse Turner Health and Fitness Center are life-savers. They usually open up whenever the forecast hits a certain threshold.
The Bottom Line
The weather in Fontana California is a game of extremes. You get beautiful, crisp 70-degree days in April that make you feel like you’re living in a postcard. Then, six months later, you’re bracing against 50 mph winds while the thermometer reads 102°F. It’s erratic, it’s intense, and it’s uniquely Inland Empire.
To stay ahead of the curve, download a high-quality wind alert app (not just a standard weather app) and keep an eye on the Cajon Pass sensors. If the pass is gusting, your backyard is next. Keep your trees trimmed away from your roof to avoid wind damage and always have a "heat kit" in your car—water, an umbrella for shade, and an extra charger.