Stifling Hot Nights Ahead: This Week's Heat Wave Could Shatter Overnight Records Across Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The National Weather Service is predicting no August heat relief in Riverside County. Instead, the federal agency has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for the region with daytime temperatures soaring well past the 100-degree mark this week, and the possibility of "a large number of records for warmest low temperatures tied or broken."

The Riverside County desert communities are currently under an Extreme Heat Warning through 8 p.m. Friday. All of Riverside County — except for mountain communities — will fall under the same guidance starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, when conditions are forecast to begin heating up to life-threatening levels across the region, according to the NWS.

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"An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring," according to the NWS. "Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors."

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services advises keeping pets indoors with plenty of fresh, clean water.

"Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees," according to the county agency. "Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively."

Southwest Riverside County cities stretching north to the San Gorgonio Pass Area are forecast to see daytime temperatures hovering around 105 this week, while the Coachella Valley will bake near 115.

There will be little respite overnight this week. Nighttime lows are forecast to drop to the balmy 70s across western Riverside County, while desert lows will dip to the high 80s.

A slight cooldown could be coming, but it's too early to predict with certainty, according to the NWS. Forecast models show a possibility of temperatures returning to closer to normal by early next week.