The heat cooking the Inland Empire before the first day of spring busted multiple high temperature records Tuesday in Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.
In Palm Springs, the high reached 103 degrees Tuesday — beating the previous record of 100 from 2007, the weather service said. The mercury reached the same level in Thermal, narrowly passing the previous record, set in 2007, of 102.
The weather service said Indio set a new record at 104, undoing the previous one for March 17, 2007, when the heat peaked at 101.
At Riverside Municipal Airport, the temperature topped out at 101, well above the previous record of 92 set in 2004.
The mountaintop community of Idyllwild also established a new record, reaching 85. The last record set for the date was in 2017, when the high hit 76, according to the National Weather Service.
The agency anticipated further record-breaking temperatures throughout the region before the start of the weekend as the summer-like swelter continues amid high pressure patterns dominating the southwest.
An extreme heat warning is in effect for the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass from 10 a.m. Wednesday to 8 p.m. Saturday. A heat advisory is in effect for the Riverside metropolitan area until 8 p.m. Friday.
“High temperatures this week will be 20 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year,” according to the National Weather Service.
“Most days this week have the potential for daily temperature records to be broken or tied, with the potential for monthly temperature records to be broken or tied Wednesday through Friday. “Overnight lows will also be elevated, which will limit overnight relief from the heat.”
The agency advised the public to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room (and) stay out of the sun.”
“Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles,” the weather service said. “Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside.
“Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
The official start of spring is Friday.
A list of cooling centers throughout Riverside County can be found at countyofriverside.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5ffaf74e67244 b829796eeb8df6bc6a7.