Forecasters predicted dry conditions this week, that prompted a red flag warning issued by the National Weather Service due to Santa Ana winds bringing critical fire weather.
Winds were expected to start picking up Sunday night in the Riverside metropolitan area and the Temecula Valley with speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts between 35 to 45 mph, some even as high as 55 mph through Monday. The red flag warning was effective form 7 p.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday in the Riverside county valley areas, according to the NWS.
The NWS said outdoor burning was not recommended during the red flag warning. "Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly," the NWS announced.
Sunday temperatures reached a high of 70 in the Riverside metropolitan area, 67 in the Temecula Valley, and 79 in the Coachella Valley and in the Palm Springs area.
Temperatures throughout the week were expected to range from the low 70s to mid 70s in the Riverside metropolitan area dropping to the mid 40s by night. The Temecula Valley was expected to be slightly cooler with temperatures in the low 70s all week, dropping to the low 40s at night.
Forecasters predicted the Coachella Valley to have temperatures in the mid to high 70s. By night the Coachella Valley was expected to drop to the high 40s and low 50s.
The Palm Springs area was also predicted to reach the high 70s and low 80s by day, dropping to the mid 50s by night, according to the NWS.