Near-record heat expected to shatter late-February norms

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Unseasonably strong high pressure parked over the Desert Southwest is sending temperatures soaring across Yuma County and Imperial County, and we're not just talking warm. We're talking near-record heat for late February.

Afternoon highs are running 15 to 20 degrees above normal, with lower desert communities climbing into the mid-80s to mid-90s.

Areas along the Lower Colorado River and throughout the Imperial Valley are expected to be the hottest, with El Centro forecast to reach 94 degrees, which would tie a daily record set back in 1986.

The heat doesn't stop there.

Temperatures are expected to remain well above average through Friday and into the weekend, with multiple daily record highs possible in both Yuma and El Centro.

Some locations could even challenge all-time February records before the week is over.

Despite the heat, conditions will stay dry and mostly calm. Winds are expected to remain under 15 miles per hour, with occasional afternoon gusts between 15 and 25 miles per hour. Humidity levels will drop into the teens during the afternoon hours, meaning very dry air in place across the region.

Looking ahead to early next week, a weak weather system may knock temperatures down slightly, but even then, readings are expected to stay above normal.

For now, summer-like heat is firmly in place across Yuma and Imperial Counties, and record books could be rewritten before the weekend arrives.