Temperatures will reach well into triple-digit territory again Thursday in the Coachella Valley, but conditions will start to cool on Friday and will be pleasant by the start of next week.
A heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Friday in the Riverside metropolitan area and an excessive heat watch will also last until 9 p.m. Friday in the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.
Temperature records for a May 6 were set in Idyllwild and tied in Palm Springs Wednesday during what was expected to be the hottest day of the week.
The 86-degree high in Idyllwild broke the previous record for that date of 82 set in 2018, according to the National Weather Service. Records date back to 1943.
The temperature reached 108 in Palm Springs, tying the record set in 1963. Records date back to 1893.
High temperatures Thursday are forecast to reach 108 in the Coachella Valley, 100 in the San Gorgonio Pass, 99 in Hemet, 98 in Riverside, 96 in Lake Elsinore, 92 in Temecula and 86 in Idyllwild.
The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Also, young children and pets should be never be left unattended in a vehicle, with car interiors able to “reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” according to the NWS.
Nighttime lows are expected to remain in the low- to mid-70s through Saturday in the Coachella Valley, meaning the minimal cooling at night could pose a health risk to those without access to air conditioning because the body needs time to cool down from the day’s heat.
The high temperatures typically trigger the opening of cooling centers, which include libraries and senior centers where people can escape the peak daytime heat. However, they were not able to be opened because of various restrictions related to the coronavirus outbreak.
Riverside County Director of Public Health Kim Saruwatari advised senior citizens to dial 211 to be informed of services available.