Weather alert: Heat advisory issued for Miami-Dade County and other parts of Florida
A heat advisory was issued for Miami-Dade County Wednesday, with other parts of the state also baking and warned about the extreme weather.
Here’s what to know:
Areas affected by the heat advisory
Wednesday’s high in Miami was 94, according to the weather service, but the “feels like” temperature was 108, surpassing the forecast of 105.
Advisories were also issued for the state from South Florida up to Jacksonville, including in Orlando, Bradenton, Tampa and Gainesville. Parts of southeastern Georgia are also under advisories.
These were the recorded afternoon highs and the heat index in some cities:
Fort Lauderdale: High of 92, heat index of 109.
Orlando: High of 96, heat index of 108.
Naples: High of 96, heat index of 110.
Fort Myers: High of 96, heat index of 107.
What’s ahead with the heat?
And it’s not ending here. The heat index is expected to exceed 100 on Thursday in South Florida.
So it’s possible that the heat advisory will be issued again in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, said Robert Garcia, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Miami.
“We’re going to have to keep an eye on the forecast,” Garcia said. “But no matter how you look at it, it’s going to be hot and folks should be staying hydrated and taking frequent rest breaks where they can cool down.”
How hot was July 4?
Tuesday was the hottest day ever on Earth since at least 1979 when records on global temperature began, according to data from the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction.
The global average temperature reached 62.92.
The Washington Post reported that some scientists believe it could have been the hottest day in the last 125,000 years “due to a dangerous combination of climate change causing global temperatures to soar, the return of the El Niño pattern and the start of summer in the northern hemisphere.”
READ MORE: July 4th broke world heat records. Soaring temps are a sign of Florida’s steamy future
What does the heat index mean for you?
The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. This is how hot it “feels like” on your skin on steamy days.
In June, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and weather service officials announced plans for raising awareness of environmental extreme heat hazards. Among the changes: the declaration of a Miami heat season that runs from May 1 to Oct. 31. Miami-Dade will serve as a test case for new warning levels that trigger a heat advisory.
Previously, the weather service issued a heat advisory when the heat index hit 108 degrees. Now, the weather service in Miami issues a heat advisory if the index is 105 degrees for at least a couple of hours.
Tips to prevent heat illness
Miami-Dade County issued several hot weather survival tips, based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advice, and noted who is most at risk in recent postings.
Who is most at risk of heat-related illnesses: Older adults 65 and older, young children, people with chronic health conditions or mental illness, athletes who exercise outdoors, outdoor workers, people living unsheltered or with limited access to air conditioning, pregnant people, and pets.
What you should do:
▪ Stay cool by spending time in air-conditioned buildings.
▪ Avoid direct contact with the sun.
▪ Reduce physical activity and move to shaded areas.
▪ Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning or evening hours, and dampening your shirt or wrapping a wet scarf or bandana around your neck or forehead could also help.
▪ Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water or drinks with electrolytes if you’re sweating. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. Use sunscreen, too, to protect against skin damage.
▪ Limit or avoid dehydrating caffeine and alcohol.
▪ Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
▪ Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical care immediately if you know someone who experiences symptoms that could include high body temperature, headache, dizziness or nausea and confusion.
This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 10:59 AM.
