Triple-digit temperatures will be the norm for most of the week across the Inland Empire, where a chance of scattered thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts is also in the forecast, according to the National Weather Service.
“Temperatures will increase to around three to seven degrees above normal by Thursday, which is still forecast to be the hottest day of the week for the mountains westward,” the NWS said in a statement Monday. “Heat in the low deserts will likely peak earlier in the week, as a return of monsoonal moisture on Thursday may limit heating there.”
No weather-related advisories or warnings had been issued as of Monday morning.
According to NWS prognostication charts, ridges of high pressure strengthening over Texas, the Great Basin and Four Corners area will influence weather patterns throughout the inland region going into the weekend.
This follows similar trends that began in July, resulting in multiple triple-digit days over the previous month in the IE.
“Continued humidity and above normal overnight temperatures will contribute to higher heat risk,” the NWS stated. “As the high becomes centered closer to the Four Corners region late in the week, south to southeasterly flow aloft will help bring in another round of monsoonal moisture. Moisture begins to increase by Thursday.”
However, forecasters said widespread thunderstorm potential is minimal.
In the Riverside metropolitan area, daytime highs are forecast to reach the upper 90s Monday and Tuesday, with lows generally in the low 70s nightly. From Wednesday to Saturday, daily temps will likely peak at or just above 100 degrees, with no change in overnight lows.
Across the Coachella Valley, highs will top out around 110 degrees all week long, with overnight temps in the upper 80s.
The Temecula Valley will be among the coolest places in the IE for the week, with the mercury peaking in the low to mid 90s from Monday to Saturday, while lows will settle in the mid to upper 60s at night, according to meteorologists.