Coachella Valley may see coolest July 4th in a decade; what will temperature be for fireworks?

Following uncomfortable weather to start the week with high humidity and above-normal temperatures, the Coachella Valley could be in store for its coolest Independence Day in a decade.

The National Weather Service in San Diego is forecasting a high temperature of 101 degrees on Monday. That would make July 4, 2022, the coolest Independence Day in the desert since 2012. That year, the high only reached 97 degrees, setting a record for the lowest afternoon high on that date.

As desert residents can attest, the first week of July can include scorching weather in the Palm Springs area. The past decade has featured some extremely hot holiday barbeques as Palm Springs has reached 110 degrees or higher on five occasions on July 4, including a searing 115 degrees in 2017.

“Whatever relief you can get, I’m sure you will be happy to take it,” said Brian Adams, a meteorologist with the San Diego office. “It will still be triple digits, but it will definitely be on the cooler side of things relatively speaking.”

People gather at Mission Springs Park to watch the fireworks show in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., on July 2, 2021.
People gather at Mission Springs Park to watch the fireworks show in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., on July 2, 2021.

By 9 p.m. Monday, when fireworks shows are held in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert, temperatures will likely have fallen into the upper 80s.

Palm Springs’ average high temperature is now at 107 degrees, and Tuesday saw the thermometer soar to 113. But the forecast calls for below normal temperatures starting Friday and carrying through at least Tuesday.

“We are timing it quite well for the holiday weekend,” Adams said.

The weather service forecasts Wednesday’s high temperature of 111 degrees, before dropping to 107 on Thursday and 106 on Friday. Forecasted highs over the weekend include 105 on Saturday, 102 on Sunday and 101 by Monday.

Adams also said the holiday weekend will feature less humidity across the desert as a more typical dry heat returns.

While the thermometer won’t be nearly as high as it can be, Adams still cautions that residents and visitors should still take heat-related precautions any time they are outside.

“It will still be plenty warm for any outdoor activity, yardwork or exercise,” Adams said. “Any physical activity requires precautions like staying in shaded areas, taking a break for relief in the air conditioning, staying hydrated and wearing light material and light-colored clothing. Everyone should still limit outdoor activities as much as humanly possible.”

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs area July 4 weather: valley expects cool holiday