Heat warnings were in effect throughout Riverside County this weekend, with major heat risk in the deserts, authorities said Saturday.
An extreme heat warning was issued until at least 8 p.m. Sunday in the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, while a less severe heat advisory was in effect during the same time for the mountains, valleys and inland areas, according to the National Weather Service.
Saturday’s temperatures were expected to reach 100 degrees in downtown Riverside, 96 in Temecula, 103 in Hemet, 113 in Coachella and 114 in Palm Springs.
On Sunday, temperatures from the mid-90s to about 103 degrees were expected in the western areas of the county, and from 106 to 112 in the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the NWS advised.
The public was also urged to never leave children or pets in parked vehicles for even a minute, as temperatures inside vehicles can reach deadly levels in virtually no time.
Temperatures will slowly trend lower toward the beginning of next week, but daytime temperatures were expected to remain about 5 to 10 degrees above normal, forecasters said. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts was predicted each afternoon through Tuesday, according to the NWS.
A further slight decrease in temperatures is expected toward the end of the week.