By Reginald Stanley. Posted October 1, 2020, 3:13 PM.

One of the warmest Septembers in recent history, compounded by frequent bouts of triple-digit temperatures following an already hot August, ignored the calendar as October began in the region Thursday with more hot temperatures.

In Temecula, September 2020 was the second warmest September since at least 1999, where only the month average temperature of September 2012 was warmer. The average high for September 2020 was the warmest on record there, and was slightly higher than it was in August. Temecula also recorded its highest September temperature on September 5, with 112 degrees - beating the previous record of 111 degrees on September 29th of 1999. In nearby Murrieta, this year's September was also the second warmest on record there, but behind September 2014 rather than 2012. In Hemet, September 2020 beat all previous warmest Septembers. Similar records were set at newer WeatherCurrents stations in the region.

The first day of October has offered no relief from the summer-like heat, with more widespread triple-digit temperatures already being observed Thursday afternoon and expected to continue once again on Friday. Stationary high pressure over the West Coast is responsible for the latest round of heat. Gradual cooling is expected next week, however temperatures are predicted to remain above average through that period.