Easter weekend in Coachella Valley hit with warmest temperatures of 2021 so far

The Coachella Valley is no stranger to hot, dry weather but as of Easter weekend, warmer than normal temperatures lingered throughout parts of the valley.

On Saturday, both Palm Springs and Thermal reached into the triple digits, making April 3rd the first triple digit day of 2021. The average high temperature for Palm Springs this time of year is 82 degrees.

"I kind of got a little reptile in me so this is also kind of cool to me so anything less than 105 degrees, then I’m good with," said Palm Desert resident, David Salas.

Salas and a group of friends have made it a routing to meet up weekly outside the Starbucks on El Paseo in Palm Desert. The hangout continued on, even through the heat.

"I climbed on my bike this morning and I came out and I said, 'I think it’s going to be kinda toasty, but we'll just take it," said Indian Wells resident, Don Theile.

"I find it really pleasant, in fact summer is my favorite time of year because it’s just everyone who lives here so it’s very local. I don’t mind the tourists at all, you just feel like you have it all to yourself," said Niall Lynch, Palm Desert resident.

The group of friends kept cool in the shade while sipping on iced coffee and tea.

On Sunday, temperatures reached the upper 90s throughout the Coachella Valley, with the exception of Thermal, which hit 100 degrees.

Tuscon, Arizona resident, Pamela Richardson, had no idea it was going to be this hot in the valley. When asked what she was doing to keep cool, she had the right idea to "lounge around by the pool" and wear sunscreen.

"I'm actually in the air force so I’m visiting family here that lives in the Palm Desert. It’s pretty fun, just able to relax and enjoy the scenery," said Richardson.

One pair of cousins walked down El Paseo post Easter celebrations.

"Happy Easter, make sure to go to church," said Yuma, Arizona resident, Matilda Hernandez.

Across the valley families celebrated a little differently-- with 2021 being the second year in the pandemic.

"We kind of did an Easter hunt yesterday, but today we’re celebrating it by being on this vacation," said Sofia of Seattle.

She was on vacation with her family, which flew in from Washington yesterday. The family took a trip to Boomers in Cathedral City on Sunday before heading off to go swim.