Temperatures could reach 120 in Coachella Valley this weekend for first time since 2021

Tom Coulter, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Updated ·2 min read
6
A construction worker on the rooftop of the Monarch Apartment Homes during triple-digit temperatures Monday in Palm Springs. The homes are being built at the southeast intersection of Indian Canyon and San Rafael drives.
A construction worker on the rooftop of the Monarch Apartment Homes during triple-digit temperatures Monday in Palm Springs. The homes are being built at the southeast intersection of Indian Canyon and San Rafael drives.

Amid a regional heat wave, the Coachella Valley will see blazing temperatures over the next few days — with highs possibly reaching 120 degrees and breaking daily records over the weekend.

It would be the first time the valley has hit 120 this year, after not hitting that mark in all of 2022.

An excessive heat warning was issued for cities from Palm Springs to Coachella effective from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Sunday, while a heat advisory was issued for the areas of downtown Riverside, Hemet and Temecula for the same duration.

While the Coachella Valley has seen triple-digit heat every day so far this July, the weather is expected to warm up even more Tuesday and Wednesday, with afternoon temperatures forecasted between 111 and 113, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to tick up further Friday, with highs of 118.

Saturday and Sunday will likely be the hottest days this week, with high temperatures between 118 and 120 degrees expected valley-wide, according to Samantha Connolly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's San Diego office.

“It’s looking like Palm Springs will hit 120 at this point, for both Saturday and Sunday — even into Monday, as well,” Connolly said. “It’s looking like a pretty prolonged heat event for you all out there.”

The extreme heat could break some daily records for maximum temperatures on those days in Palm Springs, according to the National Weather Service. The record highs on those days is as follows:

  • July 14 (Friday): 119 degrees.

  • July 15 (Saturday): 118 degrees.

  • July 16 (Sunday): 120 degrees.

The heat wave, which spans the American Southwest, is due to a large high-pressure system expected to peak over the weekend, Connolly said. That system will weaken slightly next week, though Connolly said it won’t result immediately in a major cooldown in the valley.

Yolenny, right, and Bentley Lacey play in the Whitewater River in the Whitewater Preserve on Monday under the watchful eye of their parents Kyle and Veronica Lacey of Desert Hot Springs.
Yolenny, right, and Bentley Lacey play in the Whitewater River in the Whitewater Preserve on Monday under the watchful eye of their parents Kyle and Veronica Lacey of Desert Hot Springs.

The National Weather Service encourages people to take extra precautions during the extreme heat, which can significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. The agency says people should drink extra water, avoid the midday sun and wear loose-fitting clothing if they have to work outside.

“When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening,” the NWS advised.

The agency also cautioned that children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances in the extreme heat.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Tom Coulter covers the cities of Palm Desert, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells. Reach him at thomas.coulter@desertsun.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Temperatures could reach 120 in Coachella Valley this weekend