Another hot day is ahead for Florida, the second day this week heat advisories have been issued for almost the entire state.
Sixty-four of Florida’s 67 counties are under a heat advisory Aug. 12, up two from Aug. 11. The westernmost counties in Florida’s Panhandle are the only areas in the state not under a heat advisory.
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Don’t expect the heat to ease anytime soon, according to forecasts from National Weather Service offices around the state.
“Expect multiple days of hazardous heat, with heat indices of 105-110,” the National Weather Service Tallahassee warned residents on X.
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With kids around the state starting the new school year this week, it’s important to keep the heat in mind if you have to be outside.
Extreme heat is a killer and should be taken seriously. More than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control
Here’s what you should know.
National Weather Service issues heat advisories for almost all of Florida
Heat advisories issued for 64 Florida counties Aug. 12
Heat advisories have been issued for 64 of Florida’s 67 counties Aug. 12, up from 62 on Aug. 11.
Only three counties in the western Panhandle are not included in the heat advisories.
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.
The general rule of thumb for this advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or higher for at least two days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75 degrees. These criteria vary across the country, especially for areas that are not used to dangerous heat conditions.
In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would 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.
If a heat advisory is issued, take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don’t take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.
Why is it so hot in Florida right now?
“The heat in Florida has been prolonged for two reasons,” said Peyton Simmers, AccuWeather meteorologist, via email Aug. 11.
“The first reason is the Bermuda High was centered more east than it typically is in the Atlantic Ocean, so the heat and humidity was pumping from Florida to the Northeast U.S.
“The second reason is a strong area of high pressure — heat dome — that was centered over the western U.S. is now moving east across the southern part of the country and setting up near in the Southeast U.S., only prolonging the heat/humidity in Florida through this week.”
How much longer will Florida heat last?
Cities such as Orlando, Tampa and Miami are forecast to remain in the mid 90s for highs this week, and the humidity will remain high, as well, Simmers said.
“There can be some relief this weekend, but it will still be hot and humid. The only relief from the heat will be any afternoon hit-or-miss thunderstorms that form each day.”
Florida heat index interactive map
Radar shows location of Florida storms. Will it rain?
Rain chances are “near to below normal” this week, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.
“Drier air aloft, mostly due to a Saharan Dust Layer, will support strong gusty winds in lightning storms each day,” according to the National Weather Service Melbourne.
That drier air will limit thunderstorm chances on Florida’s west coast, but the potential for strong wind gusts is higher in thunderstorms that do form, the National Weather Service Tampa Bay said.
In the central Panhandle, isolated showers and storms will be possible each day this week. The strongest storms could produce gusty winds and frequent lightning, according to the National Weather Service Tallahassee.
For South Florida, the greatest rain chances will be on Aug. 13.
What is the heat index mean and why is it important?
The heat index measures how hot it really feels outside, according to the National Weather Service. It’s sort of the summer equivalent of the wind chill factor our more northerly neighbors watch in the winter.
The heat index is calculated based on two factors:
Important point: Heat index values were devised for shady, light wind conditions. Exposure to full sunshine can increase heat index values by up to 15 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Who is most at risk during extreme heat?
Anyone can suffer from heat-related illness, but some people are at greater risk than others, according to the CDC, including:
Symptoms of heat-related illness
Symptoms you’re becoming overheated include:
What can you do when it is this hot outside?
The CDC offered this advice on how to stay cool:
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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://tallahasse.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: More ‘hazardous’ heat ahead for Florida. How long will it last?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
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By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
