Palm Springs shattered a high-temperature record as a brutal stretch of heat continued Saturday throughout Riverside County, with conditions that will increase the risk of wildfires in the metropolitan area and mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
High pressure will strengthen over the West Coast throughout Labor Day weekend, ushering in the sweltering conditions, forecasters said.
Saturday’s highs reached 111 degrees in Corona and 116 in Riverside, the NWS said.
Meanwhile, Palm Springs broke a 65-year-old high-temperature record for this day, reaching 122 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The previous record of 116 degrees was set in 1955. Saturday’s high also surpassed the all-time high for September of 121 degrees, set in 1950.
Sunday won’t provide any relief, with highs forecast to be 112 degrees in Beaumont, 115 in Temecula, 117 in Riverside and 121 in Palm Springs.
The heat, low relative humidity and gust winds out of the east will also elevate fire weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday.
Humidity will drop to the 15%-20% range on Saturday and Sunday with poor overnight recovery, forecasters said. Winds out of the east are expected to reach speeds between 15-25 mph, with gusts potentially reach 30-40 mph near the San Gorgonio Pass.
An excessive heat warning is in effect through 8 p.m. Monday throughout Riverside County. The NWS also issued a fire weather watch from through Sunday afternoon in the Riverside metropolitan area and county mountains.
The fire weather watch comes with a warning that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended.
A brushfire developed midday Saturday in Yucaipa, quickly growing to 1,000 acres and sending a large plume of smoke into the sky, visible in many parts of neighboring Riverside County.
The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. Also, children, seniors and pets should be never be left unattended in a vehicle, where interiors are able to “reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,” according to the NWS.
Riverside County has 35 cooling centers available countywide with mandatory mask wearing and social distancing protocols in place.
A full list can be found at www.capriverside.org/Cool-Centers.