The Coachella Valley and Palm Springs metro area is expected to bake under a record-setting heat wave Saturday as an unseasonable burst of summer-like temperatures grips the desert.
The National Weather Service said daily record highs are expected to fall in several desert locations, with the Coachella Valley seeing some of the hottest conditions in Southern California.
“Daily record highs will be broken in several locations,” forecasters said, noting that while a brief return of onshore flow may bring modest cooling to coastal areas, desert communities will remain well above seasonal norms.
Highs Saturday are forecast to reach into the 90s across the Coachella Valley, including Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, and surrounding cities. Southwest winds of up to 15 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph, are expected in the afternoon.
Weather officials urged residents and visitors to take precautions, especially during the hottest part of the day.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms and stay out of the sun during peak heat,” the agency said.
Riverside County officials said they do not expect to open cooling centers this weekend because the heat surge is not forecast to persist for multiple consecutive days. However, forecasters warned that after a brief easing, another round of potentially record-breaking heat is expected early next week, with desert temperatures climbing even higher.
By Tuesday, high temperatures in the lower deserts could reach 102 to 106 degrees, levels that are 25 to 30 degrees above average for mid-March, according to the Weather Service. Some desert locations could challenge or exceed all-time March records.
Meteorologists said a dominant high-pressure ridge over California and neighboring states will keep moisture suppressed and humidity extremely low, potentially dropping into the single digits across the Coachella Valley.
From Sunday through midweek, daytime highs in the Palm Springs area are expected to return to the upper 90s and possibly triple digits, with overnight lows holding in the low to mid 70s, offering little nighttime relief.
For perspective, temperatures during the same period last year peaked in the upper 50s to low 60s, underscoring how unusual the current heat pattern is for March.
Forecasters said summer-like conditions could persist through the middle of next week, urging desert residents to plan outdoor activities carefully and check on vulnerable neighbors as the heat intensifies.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs braces for record heat as desert temps near triple digits
Reporting by City News Service, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
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