Weather not improving just yet
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Unseasonably strong high pressure is bringing near-record heat to Yuma and Imperial counties, with temperatures running 15 to 20 degrees above normal for late February.
Afternoon highs through Saturday are expected to climb into the upper 80s and 90s, with a real possibility of records being tied or broken. In fact, El Centro could even flirt with the 100-degree mark on Saturday.
Current projections show about a 40% chance of hitting triple digits there, which would be extremely rare for this time of year.
Not only are daytime highs soaring, but overnight lows will stay unusually warm as well, offering little relief. This stretch of heat is comparable to what we typically feel in late April rather than late February.
Early next week, the ridge of high pressure begins to weaken slightly, but temperatures are still expected to remain around 10 to 20 degrees above average through at least Monday.
A system moving through the Southwest by Tuesday will bring a gradual cooldown, though conditions are expected to stay dry with very limited chances for any rainfall.
Dry air will also stick around, with afternoon humidity levels dropping into the teens and light winds generally staying under 15 miles per hour.
Bottom line: Summer-like heat is settling in early across Yuma and Imperial Counties, and several daily records could fall before cooler weather arrives midweek.
