Near-Record High Temps Forecast In RivCo Under Excessive Heat Warning

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning across Riverside County beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesday, as well-above-average high temperatures settle in across the region.

"Near record high temperatures are possible for the mountains, lower deserts, and inland valleys through Sunday," according to the NWS. "Several locations for the mountains, lower deserts, and valleys could have record warm overnight low temperatures each night through the weekend. Some mountain locations could break the existing records by several degrees."

The excessive heat warning is scheduled to expire at 8 p.m. Thursday, but forecasters predict the extreme heat will likely last through the weekend and into next week.

Dangerously hot conditions, with temperatures between 104 and 114, are forecast for the Coachella Valley and parts of the Pass Area through Thursday, with low temperatures only dipping to the mid-70s to low 90s.

Valley communities will not be spared. The Southwest Riverside County cities of Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula and Wildomar Valley can expect high temperatures between 99 and 106, with lows in the upper 60s to low 70s.

Mountain communities will see temperatures in the mid-80s to the mid-90s through Thursday. Lows will be in mid-60s to mid-70s. A record high temperature was reported in Idyllwild on Monday. It was 94, breaking the record for the day of 89 set in 2020.

Long term, the NWS predicts slight cooling Friday, but with high temperatures still 12 to 18 degrees above average for the inland valleys. Then warmer for the weekend for the valleys with high temperatures on Saturday 15 to 20 degrees above average for the inland valleys.

There won't be much change for the mountains and deserts through the weekend, with high temperatures mostly 10 to 15 degrees above average.

California coastal conditions could bring some relief early next week, but with high temperatures Tuesday for inland areas still 10 to 15 degrees above average, mostly in the 90s for the
inland valleys and around 105 for the lower deserts.

In addition to high heat, Riverside County is under an Air Quality Alert due to smoke from the Line Fire that continues to burn in San Bernardino County. The blaze has scorched 43,492 acres with continuing flareups. As of Tuesday morning, the fire was 76% contained, according to Cal Fire.