'Excessive Prolonged Heat Wave' Hits Murrieta Through Mid-July

MURRIETA, CA —The mercury was expected to strike triple digits in Murrieta and across the Inland Empire over the coming weekend, the National Weather Service warned. Meteorologists extended the current Inland Empire heat advisory through Tuesday, July 18 as they urged residents to take precautions when venturing or working outdoors amid skyrocketing temperatures.

This week, SoCal will meet thresholds for "significant heat impacts in the deserts and mountains, as well as portions of the Inland Empire," the NWS said in a statement Monday. "It will be in the 90s each day and potentially hotter ... in the Inland Empire, where a Heat Advisory goes into effect Tuesday."

"Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside," the Weather Service stated. "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun."

Temps are likely to be 5 to 10 degrees above average this weekend into early next week, forecasters said, noting that a ridge of high pressure stalled over Arizona will expand westward, displacing moisture and drying out inland Southern California.

Daytime highs in the Coachella Valley was expected to stay around 115 degrees through the end of the week, with lows only dropping to the mid 80s, according to the NWS.

In the Riverside metropolitan area, the highs from Tuesday to Saturday will peak at or just over 100 degrees, with overnight lows around 65, while in the Temecula Valley, coastal breezes and marine layers will keep the mercury from exceeding 90 for most of the week, with lows falling to around 60, forecasters said.

Sunday, the heat continues, with the hottest temperatures Saturday through Monday. Not only will daytime temperatures be very hot, but overnight low temperatures will be elevated, especially in the low deserts where lows will be 80-90 degrees. In the mountains and High Deserts, lows will only fall to the 70s. Widespread moderate to high heat risk is expected, with locally extreme heat risk in the deserts. Heat risk will be highest Saturday through Monday.

How hot will it get in Murrieta?

The hottest day will likely be Sunday, when temperatures top 100 degrees in Southwest Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 97. Light southwest wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Wednesday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 96. Light west wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 65. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light southeast in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind becoming south 10 to 15 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 69.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 98.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 101.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 99.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70.

Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 98.