Mild February Temperatures, Winds to Shift with Warmer Weekend Ahead in Desert Regions

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Welcome back to the show as we take a live look at the Walter Clark Highway 11 Camp in Ranch Mirage. The sun has set, but we're catching a glimpse of a moving star-like plane overhead, and traffic on the 111 highway remains light this evening. The atmosphere tonight is pleasant, and it's a great time to take a stroll or even head over to the River for some Ben & Jerry's!

Earlier today, meteorologist Rick Shermock, formerly of the National Weather Service, shared a stunning view of serial cumulus clouds, which are high in the troposphere and typically signify fair weather. This aligns perfectly with what we’ve been experiencing this week, as the region enjoys pleasant, mild conditions. Today's temperature reached 84°F, about 10 degrees above average for February.

While tomorrow and Friday may see a slight dip in temperatures, the forecast still calls for daytime highs in the 80s, far above the seasonal norm. At the moment, Desert Hot Springs stands at 72°F, with nearby areas such as Yucca Valley and 29 Palms sitting at 65°F and 66°F respectively.

For tonight, we’ll experience mild overnight lows in the mid to high 50s, and Thursday’s forecast brings a shift in wind patterns. Winds from the northeast will gust up to 40 mph in certain areas, especially along Palm Drive and Desert Hot Springs, where drivers should be cautious, particularly near gas stations along the highway.

Looking ahead, the weekend is shaping up to be fantastic with plenty of sunshine. A ridge of high pressure will strengthen, raising temperatures into the 80s and 90s by next week. There’s even a possibility of reaching near-record highs. Overall, the coming days will bring mostly fair weather, with some lingering clouds through Thursday, before the weekend heat sets in.

Be sure to stay tuned for your full seven-day forecast, with 80s throughout the weekend and high 90s by the start of next week! Stay cool and enjoy the beautiful weather.