As the last days of June approach, Florida’s summer heat is firmly in place, and you’ll feel it this week and into the weekend.
A system of high pressure is building over the Sunshine State, bringing hotter temperatures and decreasing rain chances, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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The hottest days are expected this weekend, and widespread heat indexes are forecast to reach the middle 100s across the peninsula.
Heat advisories may be issued, and National Weather Service offices in the state were warning residents of the “extreme heat.”
Here’s what you should know.
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Saharan dust helping reduce chances for rain across Florida
There is a possibility of isolated to scattered showers June 24-25 but it’ll battle dry air working its way south and “an approaching plume of Saharan Dust.”
The two will limit rain chances “of what would otherwise be widespread afternoon activity,” according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
There is a possibility of isolated showers and storms June 26-27, but they’re likely to be slow-moving and short-lived.
Expect Florida heat index to climb into low to middle 100s by weekend
As the high-pressure system spreads across the state, afternoon high temperatures will generally be in the upper 80s to lower 90s across the state during the week.
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June 26-27 could be the hottest days, with a heat index in the lower to middle 100s across North Florida and middle 100s across the peninsula are already being forecast.
Some locations, especially across the interior peninsula, will likely require heat advisories this weekend.
What is a heat advisory?
A heat advisory is one of several types of health alerts issued by the National Weather Service. A heat advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions.
➤ What weather service heat alerts mean, what you should do in Florida
In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state issue a heat advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees.
The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees.
Weather alerts issued in Florida
What is the heat index?
Heat index or the “feels-like” temperature is the combination of humidity and air temperature.
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Also known as the apparent temperature, the heat index “is what the temperature feels like to the human body,” according to the National Weather Service.
It’s important to note the heat index chart calculates the apparent temperature based on conditions in the shade.
In direct sunlight, the “feels-like” temperature could be up to 15 degrees higher, according to the National Weather Service.
Radar shows location of any storms moving through Florida
What should you do if a heat advisory is issued?
The National Weather Service issues a heat advisory if dangerous heat conditions are not expected to reach warning criteria.
What to do:
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What’s next?
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Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://news-journalonline.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida braces for extreme temps and high heat indexes
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
