Record-Setting Temps, Cooling Trend On Tap: Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Scorching temperatures in Riverside County broke heat records for Thursday's date in Idyllwild, Thermal and Palm Springs, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service.

The 86-degree high in Idyllwild broke the previous record of 82 for May 7 set in 2009, a day after the mountain community broke another record on Wednesday for that day's high, said Bruno Rodriguez, a weather service meteorologist. The average temperature for May 7 in Idyllwild is 70 degrees. Records date back to 1943.

The mercury hit 109 in Thermal, erasing the 105-degree record set in 2018. The average high for May 7 is 93. Records date back to 1950.

Palm Springs reached 110 degrees Thursday, according to the preliminary figures, breaking the previous record of 107 for May 7 set in 1989, a day after the city on Wednesday tied that day's heat record, which was set in 1963. The average high for May 7 is 91. Records date back to 1893.

It was 99 degrees in Riverside Thursday, 95 in Temecula, 95 in Beaumont and 97 in Beaumont, the weather service reported.

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly, to 105 in the Coachella Valley Friday as high pressure responsible for the current heat wave heads eastward.

The start of the cooling trend will be more noticeable in western Riverside County, where it is excepted to drop to 91 in Riverside Friday, Rodriguez said.

A heat advisory is in effect until 9 p.m. Friday in the Riverside metropolitan area and an excessive heat watch will also last until 9 p.m. Friday in the Coachella Valley and San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.

The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Also, young children and pets should be never be left unattended in a vehicle, with car interiors able to "reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes," according to the NWS.

Nighttime lows are expected to remain in the low- to mid-70s through Saturday in the Coachella Valley, meaning the minimal cooling at night could pose a health risk to those without access to air conditioning because the body needs time to cool down from the day's heat.

The high temperatures typically trigger the opening of cooling centers, which include libraries and senior centers where people can escape the peak daytime heat. However, they were not able to be opened because of various restrictions related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Riverside County Director of Public Health Kim Saruwatari advised senior citizens to dial 211 to be informed of services available.