Banning Faces Chance Of Thunderstorms As Heat Wave Persists

BANNING, CA — Swaths of Riverside County are bracing for another day of triple-digit heat Friday as the summer’s most “significant” heatwave continues, now accompanied by a forecast of thunderstorms, showers and high winds.

In Banning, a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms was possible after 11 a.m. The rest of the day was predicted to be mostly sunny with a high near 103 with winds potentially pushing up to 20 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

READ MORE: Where To Cool Off In Banning, Beaumont During Worst Heat Wave Of The Summer

By nightfall, a 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms was expected after 11 p.m. Winds are also expected to pick up and push east at 20 mph after midnight. New rain was expected to amount to less than a tenth of an inch, but rain could fall harder during thunderstorms, according to the weather service.

On Saturday, a similar forecast was possible after 11 a.m. The highest temperature of the day was expected to crack 100 degrees. Winds could gust up to 20 mph, and there's a 40 percent chance of rain.

The chance for rain and thunderstorms continues Sunday through Thursday of next week.

With stronger winds possible, officials are urging residents to be on high alert for wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

Communities should take precautions to avoid heat illness, prevent wildfires, and be prepared to evacuate.

''Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,'' according to a statement from the NWS. ''Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.''

SEE ALSO: RivCo Parents Arrested On Suspicion Of Murder In Disappearance Of 7-Month-Old