Coachella 2017: Triple-digit heat to roast festivalgoers during 2nd weekend

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

April 18,2017, 12:07:47PM,EDT

 

Temperatures, soaring past 100 F, will reach dangerous levels during the second weekend of the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival as heat builds in part of the the western United States.
Blazing sunshine will bring about the hottest weather of the year so far to much of interior Southern California.
Daily highs will trend upward late this week and this weekend.
"While this type of heat is not unusual at Coachella, temperatures this weekend will end up about 10 degrees higher than last weekend," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark.
Highs will climb 10 to 15 degrees above average for this time of year.

On Friday, highs will be well into the 90s at Indio, California. However, on Saturday, highs will be close to 100. During Sunday, temperatures are likely to break the record of 100 set in 1987 set at nearby Thermal, California.
The combination of blazing sunshine and light winds will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures several degrees higher.
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At this level, the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke will be significantly elevated.
People heading to the three-day event are encouraged to stay hydrated and seek shade, mist stations and air-conditioned tents when possible.
In extremely hot and sunny conditions, such as expected this weekend, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks are dangerous, according to the American Red Cross.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, light-weight and light-colored clothing and a hat can help to keep festivalgoers cool and protected from the sun's harmful rays.
Those not heading to Indio but to other destinations in California can expect sunshine this weekend with warm afternoons. Highs will be in the 60s in San Francisco and in the 80s to near 90 in Downtown Los Angeles.

The warmth will provide a great opportunity to hit the beach or do some hiking.
The surging temperatures will trigger a significant amount of melting snow over the Sierra Nevada, which will have many streams and rivers on the rise. Hikers are urged to be cautious and look out for changing conditions.
"Despite the melting snow this weekend and beyond, some ski resorts will remain open through July 4," Clark said.
Phoenix is likely to have its first 100-degree high for the year on Sunday, and people in Las Vegas can expect their hottest day of the year so far with a high in the middle 90s.
In the coastal Northwest, temperatures will spike on Friday, when some areas will have their warmest day of the year so far.
Highs will be well into the 60s in Seattle, and Portland, Oregon, on Friday, before trending back to near 60 with clouds and spotty rain on Saturday and Sunday.