Excessive heat wave coming to Coachella Valley, temps expected to reach 114-118 degrees
As Americans get an early start on celebrating the country's birthday this weekend, those in the Coachella Valley will have to rely on indoor activities as excessive heat finds its way into the area once again.
The Coachella Valley has seen a cooler start to the summer — the Palm Springs area usually sees average highs of 103 in June, but this year's monthly average was 97 degrees. A low-pressure system that was responsible for the milder weather is officially on its way out, explained Meteorologist Brian Adams with the National Weather Service in San Diego, and an upper-level high pressure from the Pacific Ocean is coming in. That means the valley's least-favorite summer resident, the triple-digit heat, is moving back in too.
An excessive heat watch has been issued from 11 a.m. Saturday to 8 p.m. Monday for the area, with Saturday and Sunday expected to be the hottest days. Adams said high temperatures of 114 to 118 degrees are expected.
"It's been an abnormally cool start to the late spring and summer season, so that's certainly going to make this incoming heat a lot more impactful," Adams said.
Overnight low temperatures won't give the area much relief either, as they are expected to range in the middle-80s.
The Palm Springs area usually sees its first 110-degree day around early June, Adams said, but residents were spared this year (the highest temperature recorded this month was 107 degrees on June 17). The coming weekend, however, seems bent on making up for it.
Average temperatures this time of year are around 107 degrees, but it's not the first time that the days leading up to the Fourth of July will be scorchers. Record highs include:
June 30: 120 degrees in 1950
July 1: 118 degrees in 1967
July 2: 119 degrees in 1985
July 3: 118 degrees in 2001
July 4: 120 degrees in 1989
Will the area potentially set any more records this weekend? "That'll be something we're keeping a close eye on," Adams said, "but the thing is with records around this time of year, they're already really high." Something tells us local residents might not be too disappointed if this weekend doesn't make it in the history books.
If there is a slight silver lining, it's that the peak of the heatwave will pass before the Fourth of July. Though a high of 110 degrees is still expected on Tuesday, "it's not pushing 120 at least," Adams said.
A record-smashing heat wave has been scorching the south-central U.S. over the past couple of weeks, killing at least 14 people. The worst of the heat on Thursday and over the next several days is expected in cities from Dallas to Houston, New Orleans, Jackson, Little Rock, Memphis and Nashville, where heat index values of 110 to 120 are expected. The heat index is how hot it feels to the human body when humidity is factored in.
Stay cool this weekend
More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People of all ages and risk factors should take these steps to prevent heat-related injuries:
Stay in air-conditioned indoor locations as much as possible.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Limit your outdoor activity, especially midday when the sun is hottest.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and sunscreen when outdoors.
Take cool showers or baths to cool down.
Monitor those most at-risk for injuries, including infants and young children, people 65 and older, those who are overweight, those who overexert during work or exercise, or those who are physically ill.
Never leave children or pets in cars.
Adams also recommends limiting time outside between the hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., particularly around 2 and 3 p.m. when the hottest temperatures are expected during the day.
USA Today contributed to this report.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs area to reach 114-118 degrees Fourth of July weekend
