Dangerously hot conditions persisted in Riverside County Sunday, complicated by a chance of thunderstorms and minor flooding in some areas, forecasters said.
An excessive heat warning was in effect until at least 8 p.m. Monday for the Riverside County valleys, including the cities of Corona, Riverside and Moreno Valley.
Palm Springs reached 109 degrees Sunday and was expected to climb to 11 Monday and 110 on Tuesday, but some relief was expected after that, with a high of 102 forecast for Wednesday and 97 for Thursday.
Downtown Riverside was 107 Sunday and was expected to reach 106 Monday, before dropping to 87 by Wednesday.
Indio’s high of 109 on Sunday was expected to rise to 110 the following two days before dropping to 105 Wednesday and 99 Thursday.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory until 4:15 p.m. Sunday for western Lake Elsinore, Perris, Lake Mathews and Temescal Valley. The agency said minor flooding was possible in low-lying and poor drainage areas due to excessive rainfall.
An earlier flood advisory warned of the same danger in Temecula and the Pechanga Indian Reservation
The NWS said quarter-size hail might cause damage to vegetation and vehicles with wind gusts up to 60 mph. A thunderstorm warning was issued for southern Corona, Lake Elsinore, Perris, Temescal Valley and Lake Matthews. Hemet was also expected to receive penny-size hail.
An air quality alert was issued Saturday night until Monday evening for the Riverside County valleys and mountains, including the cities of Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Crestline and Idyllwild-Pine Cove. Forecasters said the heat wave and elevated particle pollution levels due to smoke from a San Bernardino County wildfire resulted in high levels of smog and ozone air pollution.
The hot, dry weather was creating elevated fire conditions across the mountains, valleys and deserts.