Southern California Heatwave Bakes Region: Palm Springs Hits 118-Degrees

While inland areas will bear the brunt of the heat, some relief can be found along the coast, where temperatures will remain in the 80s.Photo byOliver DumoulinonUnsplash

Southern California is on the brink of a scorching heatwave, with temperatures in the inland valleys expected to reach dangerously high levels. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), strengthening high pressure will drive temperatures to soar between 104 and 112 degrees on Thursday and Friday, marking the peak of the heatwave. This intense heat is forecasted to persist through Friday, leaving much of the region at risk of extreme heat conditions.

While inland areas will bear the brunt of the heat, some relief can be found along the coast, where temperatures will remain in the 80s. However, the marine layer will become increasingly shallow, causing night and morning low clouds to become patchier and limited to areas near the immediate coast.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a slight reprieve is expected as monsoonal moisture returns, bringing cooler temperatures and a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, particularly in the mountainous regions. Early next week, conditions are expected to dry out again with further slight cooling across the region.