Hot Monsoonal Weather Settling Over RivCo: Thunderstorms, Humidity

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Monsoonal moisture is bringing a chance of showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms Thursday and Friday, with the greatest chance of rainfall in the mountains and deserts.

According to the National Weather Service, any rain that might come to western Riverside County will be scant. The chance of precipitation in the Murrieta-Temecula area is 30% Thursday afternoon and evening, with rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch unless a thunderstorm hits.

While rain was reported Thursday morning in the high desert near Joshua Tree, forecasters were watching the skies.

"With the days heating and clearer skies off to the east, these factors will determine how widespread the rain activity becomes today," the agency reported. "If clouds hang on longer, convection may not start until later in the day or stay fairly minimal. The opposite may happen if we are able to warm the surface a bit more by this afternoon. Most areas will see a slight chance today, so keep an eye to the sky. The best chance for storms today remains across the mountains."

The chance of thunderstorms Thursday in the Idyllwild-Pine Cove area was 50%.

The Monsoon-like conditions will continue across the region. The forecast remains on track for Friday into early next week with small chances of rain across mountains and deserts each afternoon.

Heat and humidity will increase during this period, the NWS said, "so drink plenty of fluids if outdoors for long periods."

High temperatures are forecast in the low to mid-90s Thursday and Friday, but will near triple digits over the weekend in western Riverside County. Overnight lows are expected in the high 60s, the NWS reported.

Daytime temperatures in the Coachella Valley and parts of the Pass Area are breaking the 100-degree mark, and an Excessive Heat Watch will be in effect from 10 a.m. Aug. 3 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4, according to the NWS. Overnight lows continue to hover just below 90 degrees.