RIVERSIDE (CNS) - Temperatures will soar well into the triple digits again today in the Coachella Valley, but cooler weather will arrive this weekend throughout Riverside County, according to the National Weather Service.

High pressure will remain over the West Coast today before weakening and moving east on Friday, forecasters said. Highs in the Coachella Valley could drop to around 101 on Saturday and will remain around there through early next week.

High temperatures Thursday are forecast to reach 108 in the Coachella Valley, 101 in the San Gorgonio Pass, 95 in Hemet, 94 in Lake Elsinore, 91 in Riverside, 85 in Temecula and 88 in Idyllwild.

An excessive heat warning is in effect through 7 p.m. Friday in the Coachella Valley and the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning.

The NWS urged residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Also, young children and pets should be never be left unattended in a vehicle, with car interiors able to "reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes,'' according to the NWS.

Nighttime lows are expected to remain in the low- to mid-70s until Saturday in the Coachella Valley, meaning the minimal cooling at night could pose a health risk to those without access to air conditioning because the body needs time to cool down from the day's heat.

The high temperatures typically trigger the opening of cooling centers, which include libraries and senior centers where people can escape the peak daytime heat. However, they were not able to be opened because of various restrictions related to the coronavirus outbreak.

Senior citizens can dial 211 to be informed of services available.

Highs in the Riverside metropolitan area will drop to the mid-80s to low-90s on Friday, then decrease to the mid- to high-80s on Saturday, forecasters said.