Triple-digit heat propelled multiple locations across Riverside County into record-breaking territory Friday — for the fourth consecutive day this week.
The National Weather Service on Friday identified the following county locations where new record temperatures were established for March 20: Idyllwild, Indio, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Jacinto and Thermal.
The mountaintop community of Idyllwild peaked at 88 degrees, compared to a previous record of 79 set in 2004.
In Indio, the daytime high was 107, beating the prior precedent of 100 on the same date in 2004.
In Palm Springs, the mercury topped out at 108, undoing the 2004 record of 98.
Riverside reached 102, busting the previous record of 97 from 1997, while San Jacinto’s high of 101 fried the old record of 95, also from 1997, according to the Weather Service.
Rounding out the list was Thermal, where the thermometer shot up to 108, breaking the old record of 101 in 2004.
The precedent-setting temps marking the first official day of spring followed analogous highs — and records — documented on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Forecasters said Friday 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 in the Riverside metropolitan area was set to expire at 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. 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.