The mercury is rising in this pseudo-summer heat event. Stay cool, hydrate, and put on your sunscreen! The heat is on in Palm Desert.
Ashley Ludwig, Patch Staff
PALM DESERT, CA — Is summer here this weekend? Only briefly, according to the National Weather Service forecast. Friday and Saturday, the mercury is forecast to climb into triple digits in parts of the Inland Empire, potentially setting records in some areas.
In Coachella Valley, Saturday temperatures were poised to hit the high 90s and maybe trip into the 100s in some areas.
In other areas, a heat advisory has been issued for Riverside County valleys and much of the Inland Empire from 10 a.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Saturday.
Temperatures in some areas are expected to reach between 102 Friday and 106 Saturday.
The agency said a ridge of high pressure currently spinning off the Northern California coast will make its way south by Friday night, impacting all of Southern California for the weekend, fueling temps expected to be 15 to 20 degrees above average for this time of year.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"On Saturday, there could be several record warm minimum temperature records for the date that are tied or broken, with at least a few record warm maximum temperature records tied or broken as well," the NWS said in a statement. "Heat impacts for Saturday are most likely for the lower deserts and valleys."
Highs in the Riverside metropolitan area Saturday may touch 100 degrees, with lows in the mid-60s, followed by a high on Sunday of 90 and an overnight low of 60.
In the Coachella Valley, the daytime mercury Saturday is forecast to reach 105, dipping to the upper 70s at night, with a similar temperature band Sunday.
The Temecula Valley's highs Saturday will peak in the mid-90s, with lows in the low 60s, and on Sunday, will lower to a high of 85 will yield to a low of 55 after dark, according to the NWS.
Meteorologists said the high pressure will give way to several low pressure troughs starting Monday, leading to a gradual cooling trend, a return of deep marine layers over the western half of the inland region and the possibility of light rain next week.
In Palm Desert, here's your 7 Day Forecast:
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 104. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday nightMostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
SaturdaySunny, with a high near 106. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
SundayMostly sunny, with a high near 105. Light south wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday NightPartly cloudy, with a low around 69.
MondayMostly sunny, with a high near 92.
Monday NightMostly clear, with a low around 58.
TuesdaySunny, with a high near 79.
Tuesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 56.
WednesdaySunny, with a high near 85.
Wednesday NightClear, with a low around 60.
ThursdaySunny, with a high near 89.