Weather
Brutal Heat Wave Continues in Riverside County
High pressure will strengthen over the West Coast throughout Labor Day weekend, ushering in the sweltering conditions, forecasters said.
RIVERSIDE, CA - A brutal stretch of heat continued Saturday throughout Riverside County, with conditions that will increase the risk of wildfires in the metropolitan area and mountains, according to the National Weather Service.
High pressure will strengthen over the West Coast throughout Labor Day weekend, ushering in the sweltering conditions, forecasters said.
Saturday's highs reached 111 degrees in Corona, 116 in Riverside and 121 in Palm Springs, the NWS said.
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Sunday won't provide any relief, with highs forecast to be 112 degrees in Beaumont, 115 in Temecula, 117 in Riverside and 121 in Palm Springs.
The heat, low relative humidity and gust winds out of the east will also elevate fire weather conditions on Saturday and Sunday.
Find out what's happening in Banning-Beaumontfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Humidity will drop to the 15%-20% range on Saturday and Sunday with poor overnight recovery, forecasters said. Winds out of the east are expected to reach speeds between 15-25 mph, with gusts potentially reach 30-40 mph near the San Gorgonio Pass.
An excessive heat warning is in effect through 8 p.m. Monday throughout Riverside County. The NWS also issued a fire weather watch from through Sunday afternoon in the Riverside metropolitan area and county mountains.
The fire weather watch comes with a warning that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly and outdoor burning is not recommended.
A brushfire developed midday Saturday in Yucaipa, quickly growing to 1,000 acres and sending a large plume of smoke into the sky, visible in many parts of neighboring Riverside County.
The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. Also, children, seniors and pets should be never be left unattended in a vehicle, where interiors are able to "reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," according to the NWS.
Riverside County has 35 cooling centers available countywide with mandatory mask wearing and social distancing protocols in place.
A full list can be found here.
βCity News Service