Cooler temps, breezy skies across Desert Southwest

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Residents across Yuma County and Imperial Valley are experiencing a sunny but breezy Sunday, with cooler-than-normal temperatures persisting into the early part of the week.

Thanks to a large trough sitting over the western U.S., a cooler air mass has settled over the region, keeping afternoon highs slightly below seasonal averages.

Sunday's high in both Yuma and El Centro is expected to hover in the mid to upper 70s, offering a break from the warmer temperatures typical of late April.

Winds are making their presence known Sunday afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph, especially in open desert areas and around Imperial. These gusty conditions will taper off later in the evening, with calmer winds returning overnight.

Skies will remain mostly clear through the day and into Monday, thanks to dry air and high pressure building in briefly midweek.

A gradual warm-up is expected starting Tuesday, with highs returning to slightly above-normal levels by midweek.

But this quiet weather won't last forever as forecasters are watching a potential pattern shift next weekend.

A new low-pressure system could bring stronger winds and a noticeable cool-down, along with a slim chance for showers in the higher terrain of eastern California and western Arizona.

For now, it's a beautiful, albeit breezy, Sunday across the Desert Southwest. If you're heading outdoors, keep those hats secured and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.