'Dangerous' Heat In Desert, Pass Area: Weather Service Issues Warning

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A strengthening high-pressure system over California will bring warming through the holiday weekend, with the hottest temperatures of the year forecast to hit the Coachella Valley and part of the Pass Area, the National Weather Service advised Thursday.

The steady warming trend kicked off Thursday and is expected to last through Monday. Desert high temperatures will top out nearly 10 degrees warmer than seasonal normals by Saturday, translating to highs of 112 to 117 in the Coachella Valley, and 105 to 109 in the high desert, the NWS reported.

"It will be dangerously hot in the deserts," the NWS warned.

Banning will see high temperatures range between 102 and 105, according to the NWS.

"Overnight lows in the lower deserts will only fall into the lower 80s, so little in the way of overnight relief from the heat is expected," the NWS reported.

Overnight lows in Banning will fall to the mid to lower 70s.

The warming trend prompted the NWS to issue an excessive heat warning that is in effect from 11 a.m. Saturday through 8 p.m. Monday for the Coachella Valley and part of the Pass Area that includes Banning and Cabazon.

A weak upper-level trough will set in over the West Coast by early week, bringing a gradual cooling trend through the middle of next week. This will ultimately result in highs near to slightly above normal for the 4th of July, according to the NWS.

Related: Excessive Heat Prompts Call For Energy Conservation In Desert