INLAND EMPIRE METRO: Sunny, warm days and clear nights into the weekend. Highs in the 90s following overnight lows in the 50s.

MOUNTAINS: Sunny and warm with light winds. Resort-level highs from the 60s into the 80s.

DESERTS: Mostly clear but a few clouds Friday and Saturday. Light winds but 30 miles an hour Friday night. Highs from the 80s in the northern deserts to near 100 in the Coachella Valley.

BEACHES: Mostly sunny and warm but partly cloudy Friday and Saturday. Highs near 80. Advisory for highs surf of 3-8 feet. Water 58-63.

SUMMARY: Heat Advisories could be the prelude to new temperature records.

KEY POINTS
• A Heat Advisory is in effect from the coast across the Inland Valleys through 8 PM Friday.
• Quite warm temperatures could be prolonged through at least the middle of next week.

Southern Californians are wondering what happened to winter as a potentially record-setting heat wave takes shape just days ahead of the Vernal Equinox. High pressure has taken control and will likely be in charge for the next 10 days.

The National Weather Service advises that afternoon and overnight temperature records are likely be tied or broken every day through the next week. Highest temperatures will max out next Thursday and Friday. During that time frame, the high pressure ridge will re-establish itself and amplify.