Today was supposed to bring an end to two weeks of triple-digit temperatures in the Valley -- but that might not happen after all.

Don't lose heart, forecasters say: Relief really is in sight.

Fresno was forecast to hit 97 degrees today, but it could hit the century mark instead and still remain hot on Tuesday, said David Spector, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Hanford.

By Wednesday, though, a cooling trend is expected to begin.

"It will be the end to triple-digits," Spector said.

Don't expect it to last long, however. The heat could make a return next weekend.

"That's still up in the air" because it's too far out to know what the weather could be like, Spector said.

Sunday's high temperature hit 101, giving Fresno its 15th straight day of triple-digit heat.

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District forecast moderate air quality for Fresno and Tulare counties today. Madera and Kings counties are expected to have good air quality.

Still, the Valley's air district has called an air alert for today and Tuesday because of the potential build-up of smog levels from hot, stagnant air and vehicle traffic from the return to school for many Valley students. Fresno Unified and Clovis Unified both are starting school today.

The air district is asking drivers to refrain from leaving their cars idling while dropping their children off at school.

The district hopes the alert will prevent the Valley from exceeding the federal one-hour ozone health standard.

The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6495, blee@fresnobee.com or @bonhialee on Twitter.