Cold start this weekend, then desert heat returns

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) -  A noticeable weather shift is underway across Yuma County and Imperial County, bringing a chilly start to the weekend followed by a steady and significant warmup next week.

Saturday morning will be one of the coldest in over a month. Clear skies and light winds will allow temperatures to drop into the upper 30s and low 40s across the lower desert communities. Some of the colder rural areas could briefly approach freezing around sunrise. Afternoon highs Saturday will remain on the cool side, reaching the low to mid-60s.

Conditions begin to change Sunday as high pressure builds over the Southwest. Temperatures will rebound into the 70s and may approach 80 degrees in some areas by Sunday afternoon.

The warming trend strengthens early next week. Highs are expected to climb into the mid to upper 80s by Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday, some of the warmest desert locations could approach 90 degrees. Forecast guidance indicates strong confidence that temperatures will run around 15 degrees above normal for late February.

Dry weather will persist throughout the period, with no rainfall expected. Afternoon humidity levels will steadily decrease, creating increasingly dry conditions across the region.

Overall, after a brief stretch of cool weather, Yuma and Imperial Counties are heading into an extended period of well above normal warmth.