July 2023 was HOT! Aside from going down as the hottest month ever recorded globally, July in the Coachella Valley was relentless with its heat. More than 75% of July this year saw daily high temperatures above the seasonal average. As well, three days either tied or broke the previous record high temperature for that
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A broad ridge of high pressure is building in across the Southern U.S. which will start to increase temps into the weekend. This has brought much of the moisture we felt earlier this week off to the east as well. The lack of moisture is allowing for higher temperatures across the region. In anticipation of
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The dominant ridge of high pressure which we have felt for a while now has moved off to the east for the time being. This has brought much of the monsoonal moisture toward the east as well. In its wake, dry air has begun to move into Southern California. We are tracking an increase in
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Just about every thunderstorm has a similar origin story. It all comes down to air density – hot air rises and cold air sinks. For various reasons, a parcel of air near the surface may become warmer than its surroundings. This causes the warm air to rise, creating what meteorologists call an updraft. The parcel
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Air quality is now in the ‘moderate’ zone across the valley. While improvements have been made, it may take some additional time for the sand and dust from Monday’s haboob to completely settle. Drier conditions are expected for Wednesday as the monsoon moisture that brought thunderstorm activity to the region continues to move towards the
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While our air quality is significantly better than yesterday, there is still some progress to be made. Just about the entire region is reporting ‘moderate’ air quality as a result of the sand and dust in the air from yesterday morning’s haboob. Showers and storms are occurring over the mountains and high desert this afternoon.
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The First Alert Weather Team has tracked a significant improvement in the air quality outside today as compared to yesterday! We measure impacts to air quality using a tool called the Air Quality Index or AQI. A higher AQI value represents a higher level of that pollutant in the air. Some of the pollutants that
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Air quality is now ‘moderate’ valley-wide. We recommend you spend less time outdoors today until air quality improves, especially for individuals who may be sensitive to particles in the air. As well, take extra caution when driving, as visibility will likely be impacted as well. The reason for the unfavorable air quality today was a
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This afternoon we continue to watch for potential storms in our surrounding mountains. Around 3 p.m. a cell popped up south of Cathedral City, and clouds have been billowing over San Gorgonio Mountain. Dew points have been elevated in the 60s across the valley floor. Storm chances increase for Monday afternoon, especially in areas of
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Temperatures are set to lower closer to the seasonal average through the beginning of the upcoming work week. An influx of monsoonal moisture is behind the cool down and the increased chances for thunderstorm activity. The chances for isolated thunderstorms over mountain and high desert communities is expected to increase this afternoon. Monday looks to
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An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the Coachella Valley from the National Weather Service through 8 p.m. Saturday night. Additional monsoonal moisture will limit daytime high temperatures over the next few days while creating muggy conditions. A few raindrops have already made their way to the valley floor Saturday afternoon. Chances for thunderstorm
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Today marks the final day of our heat wave as temperatures have the potential to reach up to 117°. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in place for the valley due to these above-normal temperatures. The First Alert Weather Alert is also tracking the valley’s air quality as the Bonny Fire continues to burn to our
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The Excessive Heat Warning has not been extended and is still set to expire on 8PM tomorrow (Saturday). Temperatures as high as 117° are possibly during this time. A heat advisory also remains in place for our friends to the west. Monsoon season is really starting to ramp up across the southwest United States. We
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A ridge of high pressure over the southwest United States is continuing to boost temperatures above seasonal averages. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the valley as temperatures reach or even exceed 115° through Saturday. This shifting ridge of high pressure is also responsible for the big dose of humidity we experienced this
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An Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect for the Coachella Valley. Earlier today the warning was extended and is now set to expire at 8PM on Saturday. Temperatures near or above 115° are expected during this time. A large ridge of high pressure continues to sit on top of the southwest United States. The ridge
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High pressure is continuing to dominate over the southwest United States. This means temperatures will remain 5°-10° above-the seasonal average (109°) through the end of the work week. Due to this above-normal temperature trend, an Excessive Heat Warning remains in place for the Coachella Valley through 8PM on Friday. We started off the work week with humid
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We are still dealing with a large and dominant ridge of high pressure over the southwest United States. This ridge is not likely to be displaced in the foreseeable future, leaving us with consistent high temperatures. An Excessive Heat Warning remains in place for the Coachella Valley. This warning is set to expire at 8PM
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117 was the the high yesterday and we may well beat that later this afternoon. Because of the lengthy period of above-average temps, the Excessive Heat Warning has been extended through Friday evening at 8 p.m. There is also still a touch of humidity lingering, so dew points remain above the 50 degree mark, making
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A relentless ridge of high pressure is not ready to give up on the Desert Southwest just yet. The dome of hot air will continue to deliver above-normal temperatures for the remainder of the week. The clockwise flow of the high pressure is feeding moisture from the southeast into Southern California. We’ve been feeling the
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Humidity will linger into today, but gradually dry out as we head into the rest of the week. That ridge of high pressure expands a bit, helping to reduce the humidity and dew points, but increase our temperatures through midweek. Heat is increasing so much so that an Excessive Heat Warning goes into effect today
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