For the first time in seven years on this date, the temperature in Palm Springs hit 106 degrees Tuesday as the first heat wave of the year continued its grip on the Coachella Valley.
The city’s seasonal average for April 28 is 88 degrees, or 18 degrees less than Tuesday’s tally, according to National Weather Service meteorologist James Brotherton.
The mercury hit 106 in Palm Springs in 2013, as well as in 1992 and 2007, he said.
A record for April 28 was set in Idyllwild where the high reached 92 degrees, erasing the previous record of 85 set in 2007.
With high pressure continuing to strengthen over the next two days, Wednesday is expected to be even hotter at 108 degrees, Brotherton said.
An excessive heat warning for the Coachella Valley is in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday. A slow cooling trend will follow, bringing temperatures back into the mid 90s by Sunday, or closer to the seasonal average.
Nighttime lows are expected to remain in the low- to mid-70s through Thursday in the Coachella Valley, meaning the minimal cooling at night could pose a health risk to those without access to air conditioning because the body needs time to cool down from the day’s heat, according to the weather service.
The weather service urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Highs in the Riverside metropolitan area could rise to the mid-90s on Wednesday, then drop to the mid- to high-80s through Friday, according to the weather service.