Temperatures soared far above 100 degrees across Riverside County once again Sunday, as Southern California continued to suffer a long, late-summer heat wave that has strained the state’s electricity grid.
An excessive heat warning was in effect through at least 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Inland Empire, while a statewide Flex Alert was extended for the fifth straight day Sunday.
Downtown Riverside was expected to reach 110 degrees Sunday, while Palm Springs was expected to reach 111 and a high of 109 was forecast for Hemet, according to the National Weather Service.
More of the same was in store for Monday’s Labor Day holiday, when Hemet was expected to reach 110, Palm Springs 114 and downtown Riverside 110.
The NWS also called for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms Sunday afternoon in the Riverside County mountains and valley areas.
The oppressive heat is expected to linger for most of the week, with temperatures dropping slightly Friday before more significant cooling Saturday.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the NWS said.
Meanwhile, the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state’s power grid, said another Flex Alert would be in effect from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and asked residents to minimize power consumption during those hours due to elevated demand.
Residents were urged to take the following power-saving steps:
— setting thermostats to 78 degrees or higher;
— avoiding use of major appliances;
— turning off unnecessary lights; and
— avoid charging electric vehicles.
Residents were also advised to pre-cool their homes as much as possible, and close blinds and drapes to keep interiors cool.
The alerts have worked thus far, with the state avoiding involuntary power cutoffs. Officials said Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in particular are shaping up to be the most difficult days of the heat wave. Tuesday’s peak demand is forecast to be 50,087 megawatts, just shy of the all-time record of 50,270 set in 2006.
According to Cal-ISO, electrical demand on Saturday was 45,829 megawatts, and the forecast for Sunday was about 45,000.
The extreme heat and low humidity are also ratcheting up wildfire dangers, but so far only small-scale brushers have erupted in Riverside County, causing little damage.
Health officials advise residents to stay indoors with air conditioning whenever possible, drink plenty of fluids and avoid hiking or other strenuous activity in extreme heat.
Children and pets should never be left in unattended vehicles for even one minute.
Cooling centers for Riverside County can be found at www.capriverside.org/cool-centers.