A dome of high pressure has parked over Southern California as Riverside County residents do their best to stay cool under the August sun.
LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A high-pressure system has settled over SoCal this week, keeping in super-heated weather conditions across western Riverside County, prompting a Heat Advisory for Riverside County and San Bernardino County mountains and valleys until 8 p.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service. On Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service recorded 103-degree temperatures near Lake Elsinore.
(See your full Lake Elsinore weekly weather forecast below)
Also, an Extreme Heat Warning was released for the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning, until 8 p.m. Friday.
The high pressure will remain firmly in place across the desert southwest through Thursday, which promises to be the hottest day of the week.
"Temperatures could reach 105 degrees in parts of the Inland Empire on Thursday, and 115 in the lower deserts," meteorologists said.
"Please take precautions to beat the heat, such as staying in air-conditioned places, taking breaks if having to work outside, and limiting outdoor recreation," meteorologists advised.
The hazy skies are still affected by the Gifford Fire burning in Santa Barbara County, they said.
The high will begin to weaken by Friday, which will ease temperatures by a few degrees, but remain warm. Low-level moisture will also be present as the high weakens Friday into Saturday so that higher humidity will be felt, especially across the lower deserts.
Does that mean a chance for monsoonal storms? Meteorologists say there is a chance for monsoon storms, starting at 5 to 10 percent Friday, and into the weekend in predominantly areas close to the mountains.
In Lake Elsinore, the weekly weather forecast shows:
Wednesday nightWidespread haze before 11pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
ThursdayWidespread haze after 8am. Sunny, with a high near 104. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Thursday NightWidespread haze before 8pm. Clear, with a low around 69. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
FridaySunny, with a high near 102. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Friday NightClear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
SaturdaySunny, with a high near 100.
Saturday NightMostly clear, with a low around 66.
SundaySunny, with a high near 101.
Sunday NightClear, with a low around 67.
MondaySunny, with a high near 101.
Monday NightClear, with a low around 66.
TuesdaySunny, with a high near 100.
Tuesday NightClear, with a low around 66.
WednesdaySunny, with a high near 99.