WEATHER ALERT: Excessive heat persists with near record heat possible through Wednesday

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY-TV) - Dangerous heat continues across the Desert Southwest where highs could climb up to 119 degrees.

An Excessive Heat Warning has been EXTENDED until 8 P.M. Wednesday for the entire Desert Southwest.

HOTTEST day of the year for Yuma! This afternoon, Yuma tied the hottest day ever recorded during the month of August.

Yuma's high today of 118°F tied daily record of 118° set back in 1981.

El Centro was shy just one degree from daily record of 117 set back in 2009.

A strong ridge of high pressure will continue to hover over the southwest, keeping dangerously hot conditions.

With the very hot temperatures, it could be very dangerous and even deadly, which can lead to heat-related illnesses if not practicing heat safety at all times.

It's important to know the signs and symptoms for heat exhaustion and heat stroke and take action when necessary.

There is an Air Quality Alert issued for Imperial Valley and El Centro until Wednesday due to elevated levels of ozone.

Due to the high pressure it traps pollutants to the surface, and with the hotter temperatures it creates even more ozone to surface as well.

Excessive heat conditions will prevail for the next couple of days and could even bring record heat for our high and low temperatures for both Yuma, AZ and El Centro, CA.

Better rain chances and significantly cooler temperatures arrive by the latter portions of this week.

Drier weather will return by this weekend, however, temperatures will remain near seasonable norms.