SCORCHING: 113 Degrees In Lake Elsinore Forecast As 'Dangerous' Heat Wave Hits Region, NWS Says

LAKE ELSINORE, CA – A spell of extra-hot weather will send temperatures across Lake Elsinore and Riverside County soaring Friday into the weekend. By 9:30 a.m. Friday, it was already 86 degrees in parts of Lake Elsinore, National Weather Service data showed.

"It's heating up in the desert this morning with some spots already surpassing 100 degrees as of 8 a.m.," the NWS said in a forecast discussion Friday morning. "The absence of a humid surge of air from the Gulf of California in the lower desert has allowed for this quicker warmup today."

An NWS excessive heat warning for the Temecula and Elsinore valleys, the San Gorgonio Pass zone, which includes Banning and Desert Hot Springs, the Coachella Valley and the valleys around Riverside is set to take effect at 11 a.m. Friday and extend until 9 p.m. Saturday. A less severe heat advisory for the mountains will run concurrently.

"Temperatures will reach 115-120 in the lower desert and 110-114 in the Inland Empire and high desert," the agency said. "Today is expected to be hottest in the lower desert as a gulf surge is expected during the mornings this weekend. That will mean more humid air tempering the heat, but not the comfort level."

Some of the high temperatures expected Friday include: 101 degrees in Anza; 104 degrees in Temecula; 108 degrees in Hemet; 109 degrees in Riverside; 113 degrees in Lake Elsinore; 119 degrees in Palm Springs; and 119 degrees in Thermal, according to the NWS.

On Saturday, highs will range from 105 to 112 degrees in Riverside and the surrounding valleys, 94 to 101 degrees in the mountains, 112 to 117 degrees in the San Gorgonio Pass zone and 113 to 118 degrees in the Coachella Valley.

Cooler conditions are expected to prevail early next week, but isolated afternoon thunderstorms that will increase the risk of dry lightning may develop over the mountains, with the greatest potential Sunday.

Here's the full forecast from the NWS for Lake Elsinore for the coming days:

Today
Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 113. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph.

Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Saturday
Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 114. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 100. Light and variable wind becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Sunday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 66.

The hot weather will raise the risk of heat-related illness and anyone working or spending time outdoors would be more susceptible, as will the elderly, children and those unaccustomed to the heat. Forecasters advised residents to reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening, drink plenty of water, wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing and be aware of the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Authorities have also warned against leaving children, seniors or pets in parked cars, which can heat up to lethal levels in just minutes, even with a window partially open.

– City News Service contributed to this report / Image via National Weather Service