Coachella Valley Braces for Extreme Heat as Temperatures Near 120 Degrees

Another scorching day is in the books, and it's just the beginning of what’s shaping up to be a brutally hot week across the Coachella Valley. With high pressure building across the Southwest, temperatures are expected to soar, putting much of the region under an excessive heat warning.

Today’s high reached 113 degrees in Palm Springs — just shy of the record-setting 122 degrees from July 2024 — but forecasters warn the worst is still to come. The hottest days are expected to be Wednesday and Thursday, when some areas of the Valley could hit a staggering 120 degrees.

“This week is going to be a hot one,” forecasters said. “Even our cooldown days will still be above 110.”

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Coachella Valley, which goes into effect Wednesday and continues through Thursday. The heat is also impacting neighboring regions including Joshua Tree, parts of Arizona, Nevada, and much of the Inland Empire, which is under a heat advisory.

The cause? A ridge of high pressure sitting just east of the area is expanding, trapping heat over much of the Southwest. While coastal communities will find some relief thanks to the marine layer, most of Southern California will see temperatures well above normal.

The Inland Empire is forecast to reach the upper 90s to low 100s, while Palm Springs is expected to hit 116 degrees Wednesday and 117 Thursday. Friday could bring a slight drop to 112 degrees, but it will still be dangerously hot.

Officials urge residents to take precautions: stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity during peak heat, and check on vulnerable populations like the elderly and pets.

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