Triple-digit heat toasted the Inland Empire on the official final day of winter 2026, leading to another round of record-breaking high temperatures Thursday in parts of Riverside County.
The National Weather Service identified five county locations where new record temperatures were established for March 19: Idyllwild, Indio, Palm Springs, Riverside and Thermal.
The mountaintop community of Idyllwild peaked at 90 degrees on Thursday, compared to a previous record of 77 set in 1997.
In Indio, the daytime high was 108, beating the prior precedent of 98 on the same date in 1997.
In Palm Springs, the mercury topped out at 107, undoing the 1997 record of 97.
Riverside reached 101, busting the previous record of 98 from 1997, while Thermal’s high of 108 fried the old record of 101, also from 1997, according to the Weather Service.
The precedent-setting temps followed analogous highs — and records — documented on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
The first official day of spring is Friday, and according to forecasters, that should mark the final day of extraordinarily unseasonable conditions throughout the region, where high-pressure patterns have dominated since the start of the week. However, temps will remain elevated through the weekend.
“Weakening high pressure aloft and strengthening onshore flow will bring 4 to 8 degrees of cooling Saturday,” the NWS stated. “That will be most noticeable for locations west of the mountains, but even the deserts will cool 3 to 5 degrees.”
The agency said another ridge of high pressure will affect weather patterns early next week, though it “isn’t expected to be as strong as the one over Southern California this week, but it will be enough to maintain above average temperatures through next Thursday.”
An extreme heat warning remains in effect for the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass until 8 p.m. Saturday. A heat advisory is in effect for the Riverside metropolitan area until 8 p.m. Friday.
Forecasters 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 NWS stated. “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.”
A list of cooling centers throughout Riverside County can be found at countyofriverside.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5ffaf74e67244 b829796eeb8df6bc6a7.