Southwest to get a smidgen of relief from soaring heat

PHOENIX (AP) — The Southwest is about to get some heat relief – if you can call it that.

Temperatures in the region are forecast to begin dipping from unbearable to merely sweltering starting today.

Palm Springs, Calif., for example, which soared to 121 degrees Monday, is likely to see a high today of 112. Other cities such as Phoenix were set to see a slower downward dip that would still keep them in triple digits.

The late spring and early summer heatwave that peaked Monday, brought on by a high-pressure ridge over the Four Corners region of the Southwest, brought record temperatures in several states and was blamed for at least five deaths.

"People are assuming that it's going to be a little bit cooler in the morning, and the temperatures are still extremely hot," National Weather Service meteorologist Bianca Hernandez said. "If you can avoid being outside in general on days like this, that's the best thing."