Temperatures improving with breezy conditions

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - Windy conditions moved through the region Thursday as a weather system passed across the Southwest, bringing cooler temperatures and gusty winds to parts of the lower Colorado River Valley, including Yuma County and the Imperial Valley.

According to the National Weather Service, winds across the lower deserts have been gusting between 25 and 30 miles per hour, with stronger gusts possible in higher terrain areas of southeast California.

Temperatures are also trending cooler heading into Friday. Highs in the Yuma area and surrounding communities are expected to reach the low to mid-70s, slightly below normal for early March.

Forecasters say breezy conditions may linger through the end of the workweek, particularly along the Lower Colorado River Valley.

Looking ahead to the weekend, a developing weather system off the coast of Baja California could bring a slight chance of rain to the region late Sunday into Monday.

While the best chances for measurable precipitation remain in higher terrain areas of Arizona, lower desert locations like El Centro and Yuma could see very light showers.

Rain totals, if they occur, are expected to remain minimal, generally less than a tenth of an inch, with some areas possibly staying dry altogether.

Temperatures will fluctuate through early next week, warming back into the low to mid-80s by Sunday before briefly cooling again Monday as the system moves through.

By the middle of next week, high pressure is expected to return across the Desert Southwest, bringing a steady warm-up with highs climbing back into the mid to upper 80s across Yuma and the Imperial Valley.