After 130 Degree Weather In CA Hot Spot, RivCo Temps Easing

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Another day of dangerous, triple-digit temperatures is expected in parts of Riverside County Monday — accompanied by elevated fire danger and a statewide Flex Alert, urging residents to conserve power in hopes of preventing outages.

Temperatures will begin to return to normal ranges on Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

Coachella Valley residents, in particular, were being warned to take precautions against the heat as a ridge of high pressure is expected to send temperatures soaring way past the century mark across the desert areas through early this week, forecasters said.

The NWS issued an excessive heat warning through 8 p.m. Monday for the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass. Temperatures were expected to range from 110 to 116 degrees in the Coachella Valley on Monday — and remain between 85-90 range overnight.

Meanwhile, a less severe heat advisory will continue in the Riverside mountains and valleys through 8 p.m. Monday. Temperatures are expected to range between 93 and 103 in the valleys and Inland Empire, and between 84 and 100 in the mountains.

"Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. Warm overnight temperatures will compound heat stress for those without adequate cooling," the NWS said.

People were advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air- conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Meanwhile, the California Independent System Operator, which manages the state's power grid, again declared a Flex Alert — a call for voluntary conservation in hopes of reducing strain on the system and preventing outages — from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday.

A Flex Alert had been called Friday and Saturday but not Sunday.

"Demand is expected to increase on Monday, July 12. The ISO has called for power plants to delay any planned maintenance and to be available. Californians are asked to remain vigilant in case we need conservation help tomorrow," the ISO tweeted early Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters will also be on high alert as the high heat, low daytime humidity and gusty winds will create elevated fire weather conditions in the afternoons and evenings near and below the desert passes, forecasters said.

Riverside County last month opened cooling centers in multiple locations, where residents without air-conditioning are able to take a break during daylight hours. A complete list is available at www.capriverside.org/cool-centers.

Residents can take solace in the fact that this weekend's high temps are still well short of the eye-popping numbers recorded in Death Valley. The Mojave Desert location — known for the Earth's hottest recorded temperature of 134 degrees in 1913 — reached a high of 130 degrees over the weekend.