A heat wave gripping the southland will scorch the county Friday, with temperatures as high as 118 degrees forecast in the desert, according to the National Weather Service.
Starting at 11 a.m., an excessive heat warning will go into effect for the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, with high temperatures of 110 to 118 degrees expected. The warning will remain in effect until 9 p.m., during which low temperatures of 82 to 94 degrees are forecast.
The western half of the county will also be under the excessive heat warning starting at 10 a.m., with highs of 108 to 114 degrees forecast for the Inland Empire, including the cities of Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Moreno Valley, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, and Corona. Low temperatures in the 70s were expected Friday evening.
The South Coast Air Management District warned that the heat could cause the air quality in the Inland Empire to reach unhealthy levels and urged residents, especially those with respiratory conditions, to refrain from outdoor exertion.
Air quality was listed as unhealthful for sensitive groups, which includes people with breathing peoblems, in the Coachella Valley, the Riverside area, Hemet and Lake Elsinore. The rest of the county’s air will be of moderate quality.
Forecasters say the elevated temperatures “will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.”
Residents were advised to drink plenty of fluids and stay out of the sun if possible.
In addition, “young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances,” the NWS said. “This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”
County health officials advised locals to take advantage of the 56 cooling centers that opened to the public this month and are available at no cost. A list of cooling centers can be found at www.capriverside.org.
The heat was expected to dip slightly starting Saturday, but remain well into triple digits.