Much of California and Desert Southwest Continues to Bake

The heat wave that has enveloped much of the western U.S. is going to have staying power through the weekend. Here is a look at this sizzling forecast.

Much of California Ready to Bake This Weekend

Temperatures will approach record levels in cities in the Desert Southwest while parts of California will also remain exceptionally warm by early October standards. Residents can expect the heat to linger through the weekend and into early next week thanks to a large zone of high pressure anchored over the region. This area of high pressure is working to mitigate the typical effects of the marine layer along the coast, allowing temperatures to climb.

How warm can you expect it to get? Normally temperate San Francisco is predicted to see daytime highs hover in the 80s and possibly the low 90s over the next few days. The metro area is expecting partly cloudy skies along with winds clocking in about 10 to 15 mph through the weekend. Temperatures will take a dip at the start of the new work week, topping out in the upper 70s on Monday before falling into the low 70s for a high on Tuesday.

It will be even toastier heading into Southern California. Downtown Los Angeles is forecast to see highs that land at about 90 degrees on Saturday through Monday. Unlike San Francisco that will see a drastic shift downward in the temperatures early in the week, Los Angeles will remain warm with highs remaining in the upper 80s for at least another week.

The Inland Empire is bracing for readings in the triple digits during this time period. For instance, San Bernardino is under an excessive heat warning through Monday evening. The mercury is forecast to hit about 103 degrees on Saturday and Sunday with a high of just under the century mark on Monday. Plenty of sunshine and little to no wind will make it feel even warmer.

Temperatures will approach daily high records in places such as Sacramento. The capital city of the Golden State is forecast to see readings inch up over 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday and bounce around in the upper 90s on Monday. Like the rest of the region, it will be dry and sunny.

Fresno will also see the potentially record-breaking temperatures into the early part of next week. The city in the Central Valley is predicted to see a high of about 102 degrees on both days this weekend.