Mother’s Day temperatures could hit 100 degrees in parts of Southern California – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Southern California – Families preparing for Mother’s Day gatherings this weekend may need to adjust plans amid forecasts of unusually high temperatures. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center projects above-normal heat across the western United States from May 10 to 14, with particular intensity in inland areas.[1] This outlook heightens risks for outdoor events, as probabilities exceed 80 percent for hotter-than-average conditions in the Great Basin and West Coast regions.
Details from the 6-to-10-Day Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center released its latest 6-to-10-day forecast on May 4, covering May 10 through 14. Amplified ridging over the Pacific Coast drives the pattern, favoring widespread above-normal temperatures throughout the western contiguous United States. Chances surpass 80 percent in much of the Great Basin and along the West Coast, including Southern California.[1]
These outlooks rely on ensemble models that assess probabilities rather than pinpoint temperatures. For context, normal highs around Mother’s Day in the Inland Empire hover in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, while the southern Central Valley sees mid-80s. Above-normal shifts could push readings significantly higher, especially under persistent high pressure.
Areas Facing the Greatest Heat Risk
The Inland Empire, encompassing Riverside and San Bernardino counties, stands out as vulnerable due to its location away from coastal cooling influences. Similarly, the southern Central Valley, including areas around Bakersfield, anticipates the strongest deviations from average. A moderate risk of extreme heat targets the southern Central Valley specifically on May 12.[2]…