Temperatures in Southern California continued to rise on Wednesday. This is part of a warming trend that forecasters are expected to bring triple digit heat to the Coachella Music Festival this weekend.
Meteorologists say this week’s highs could set several daily records on Thursdays and Fridays, particularly across inland deserts.
The hugely popular music festival in the desert kicks off with a “mini heatwave tail end.” Weather Bureau forecasters warned with an X, reminding participants to stay hydrated.
“We managed to break records for tomorrow and Friday, Palm Springs and possibly some of the Coachella Valley regions,” said Sebastian Weslinck, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego, on Wednesday. The region’s highs are projected to reach 102 or 103 degrees before cooling slightly on Saturday, but could reach 90’s heights.
According to Westerink, Palm Springs’ current temperature record for April 10th and 11th is 101 degrees.
The festival has yet to make any specific weather precautions public, but in a frequently asked question, there may be many shaded structures and fog tents available at previous festivals, organizers said. They also encouraged people to bring empty, non-metal water bottles that can be refilled free of charge at the water station.
On social media, people are preparing for the fever at Coachella and share tips on how to stay calm, especially when camping. One Coachella attendee recommended that campers bring in fans that can be used with spray bottles, while another said it was key to staying hydrated and finding parts of the venue’s air conditioning area, including Umatent.
“At least the temperature inland will be 10-20 to 20. [degrees] Westerink said: “In the Palm Springs area…it’s pretty hot.”
Southern California highs within Southern California peak on Thursday and Friday, allowing at least one other daily record to be tested, according to Devin Black, a meteorologist with the Oxnard Meteorological Bureau. Woodland Hills’ current record on April 10th was set at 94 degrees in 1988. This is also the high predicted on Thursday.
Other inland valleys in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego County, and the Inland Empire can expect highs on the low 90s and Friday before a slight cooldown begins on Saturday.
This weather appears to be part of the month’s trend. Long-term forecasts show that warm, dry weather is likely to swell over weeks in Southern California.
