The National Weather Service/Jacksonville has issued a rare Extreme Heat Warning for inland portions of St. Johns County today from noon to 7 p.m. with a Heat Advisory in effect for coastal portions of St. Johns County, including St. Augustine.
Extreme Heat Watches have been posted for the entire county for Tuesday, July 29, as temperatures reach the mid 90s at the beaches to 100 along and west of I-95. Excessive heat temperatures combined with the day’s humidity will create “feel like” Heat Index values to range between 108-115 degrees.
According to Ben Nelson, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, St. Augustinians can brace Heat Advisory conditions continuing through Aug. 1 before increasing afternoon and evening thunderstorms gradually “cool us off during the upcoming weekend.”
“Residents and visitors to the Ancient City and St. Johns County should take precautions if they plan on being outside today,” he told the St. Augustine Record via email. “Limit strenuous activities to the early morning or the evening hours.”
St Augustine’s record high temperature was set in 1992 at 100 degrees.
“Climate data for St. Augustine only dates back to 1973, which is much less than data records at other locations around our region such as Jacksonville and Gainesville, which have records that date back to the late 1800s,” said Nelson.
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What do meteorologists recommend?
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If you or a family member becomes overheated, move to a cool and shaded location. Call 911 for symptoms or heat stroke which can be fatal.
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This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: Extreme Heat Warning issued for St. Johns County/St. Augustine: What you need to know
Reporting by Lucia Viti, St. Augustine Record / St. Augustine Record
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