An extreme heat watch has been issued for this week in parts of Riverside County, where temperatures will soar well above 100 degrees.
The extreme heat watch will be in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday to at least 8 p.m. Thursday in the areas of Riverside, Idyllwild-Pine Cove, Moreno Valley, Corona, the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, Temecula and Hemet due to hot and humid conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
A slight chance of thunderstorms was predicted in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs on Monday and Wednesday, according to forecasters.
“The mountains and deserts have the greatest chances — 35% to 60% chance — to see bouts of heavy rainfall, lightning and small hail Monday afternoon and evening,” the NWS announced.
On Sunday, temperatures reached 94 in downtown Riverside, 89 in Temecula, 96 in Hemet, 108 in Coachella and 107 in Palm Springs.
Monday’s highs were expected to be similar, before the worst of the heat wave arrives mid-week, with Wednesday expected to see the highest temperatures. Wednesday’s highs will be about 105 degrees in the downtown Riverside area, 101 in Temecula, 106 in Hemet, 113 in the Coachella Valley and 111 in Palm Springs.
Overnight lows will be elevated as well, hovering in the upper 60s and lower 70s in downtown Riverside, but staying in the 80s in Palm Springs and Coachella.
Temperatures are expected to return to the low 90s by next weekend in the downtown Riverside area, the upper 80s in Temecula, low 90s in Hemet and low 100s in the Coachella Valley and Palm Springs, according to the NWS.
Authorities advise people to prevent heat-related health effects by drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, staying out of the sun during the warmest times of the day, taking shelter in air-conditioned spaces if possible and checking up on at-risk friends, relatives and neighbors.
Children and pets should never be left in a parked vehicle even with the windows cracked, as temperatures can heat up to deadly levels within minutes.