An intense heat wave continued to drive temperatures near record levels Wednesday, with the oppressive heat expected to continue through the week.
“Near-record high pressure for late August will continue hot days and near-record warm nights through Friday night with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms for the mountains for this afternoon and Friday afternoon,” according to the National Weather Service.
An extreme heat warning will be in effect until 8 p.m. Friday for the Riverside County Valleys — where temperatures of up to 110 degrees are anticipated — and for the Coachella Valley, which could bake in temperatures as high as 118.
Overnight lows are expected to offer little relief for residents, with temperatures only expected to fall into the mid-80s to mid-90s in the Coachella Valley, and into the 70s in the other county valleys.
Riverside County mountains will be under a less severe heat advisory until 8 p.m. Friday, but temperatures are still expected to range from the mid-90s to the low 100s.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” forecasters advised. “Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.”
Thermal reached 116 degrees on Thursday, tying the high temperatures for that date sent in 2020.
Forecasters said temperatures through Friday are expected to range from 100 to 110 for much of the region, but from 112 to 118 for the lower deserts.
“The highest heat risk is expected on Thursday with widespread moderate to extreme heat risk for the valleys, inland coastal areas and lower deserts,” according to the NWS. “While the high temperatures will mostly not tie or exceed existing high temperature records, many records for warmest overnight low temperatures will likely be tied or broken with the greatest number on Thursday and Friday.
“… There may be enough residual monsoonal moisture for a few showers or thunderstorms for the mountains for this afternoon with additional drying for Thursday.”