RivCo Sees Lower Temperatures After SoCal Heat Wave

TEMECULA, CA — A long heat wave that punished California for the last week and a half is finally over, and although Riverside County can still expect warm weather this week, the temperatures will be more manageable.

High temperatures will range from the low 80s to the low 100s this week, with Saturday expected to be the hottest day, according to the National Weather Service.

Coachella and Palm Springs will be just over 100 degrees on Saturday, with Hemet expected to reach 94 and downtown Riverside 91, according to early forecasts. The coolest area that day will be Temecula, which will reach a high of 86.

The coolest day overall this week is expected to be Wednesday, when Temecula will be as low as 79 degrees and downtown Riverside 84. Palm Springs and Coachella Valley will be the warmest with highs of 94 and 95 on Wednesday, respectively.

Sunday's highs reached 92 degrees in downtown Riverside, 97 in Palm Springs and 91 in Hemet.

The NWS warned of a strong thunderstorm that was expected to impact portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties through 3:45 p.m. Sunday. The agency said Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Moreno Valley, moving west at 15 mph. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half-inch hail were predicted.

Forecasters said gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. A flood watch was also in effect through 10 p.m.