Will extreme heat in Miami and Florida extend into the weekend? What the forecast says
The National Weather Service in Miami issued a heat advisory to run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday. The expectations are we may see daily advisories going into the weekend given the forecast high temperatures in the 90s and high humidity.
“It’s going to be hot. It’s going to be humid. And we’re going to have showers and thunderstorms in and around the area. So folks should just be aware as they go through their weekend making their plans that they want to have plenty of water on hand,” said weather service meteorologist Robert Garcia. “Be prepared and have a way to cool down and stay hydrated.”
Thunderstorm chances across South Florida are at 60% Thursday night, 70% Friday and 60% Saturday — mostly in the afternoons — and drop to 40% Sunday and Monday.
But in between the somewhat cooling rains, highs are still forecast to be in the low-90s.
Heat advisories are triggered when the “feels-like” temperature hits 105 degrees or more and, according to the weather service. The index is expected to range from 105 to 109 Thursday and 105 to 110 through the weekend into early next week and the foreseeable future.
The Miami weather service announces heat advisories as meteorologists assess each day, Garcia said.
The Florida Keys weather service posted an advisory for the entire island chain on Thursday that runs through Saturday, noting the index is expected to run between 108 and 113.
According to the National Weather Service’s Forecast Points webpage maximum heat index values will exceed the 105 degree heat index mark every day through Wednesday, July 12, with Saturday and Sunday at 105 and surrounding days a few degrees higher, and 108 on Wednesday.
Dealing with the heat in Florida
Garcia offers more tips on how to deal with the ongoing heat wave and other threats Thursday through Sunday.
“Make sure that they can take cooling breaks, be able to get their body temperatures down, whether it’s getting in the water or going inside and getting some air conditioning,” he said.
Also, if you’re going to the beach or pools to immerse yourself in bodies of water, pay attention to what the lifeguards are saying, Garcia suggests. That’s because of the likely thunderstorms and lightning hazards that may develop in the afternoons. “Make sure that they’re not outside when they hear thunder because it can be lightning.”
Some of these storms could lead to flooding if they are slow moving and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph are possible, the weather service said in its hazardous weather outlook.
Saharan dust impact?
Some Saharan dust could make its way over Florida later Thursday and Friday, which, by later in the weekend such as Saturday night or Sunday and into the work week, could contribute to an excess heat index and overall warm days, said weather service meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez.
Saharan dust can also help impede tropical activity, but at this time the National Hurricane Center doesn’t show anything in the tropics for the next 48 hours. But the dust can be harmful to those people vulnerable to conditions like asthma or other respiratory issues. So, be on alert.
And for those who like to post sunset photos on Instagram or the new Threads social media platform, Saharan dust can contribute to color-rich sunsets.
Weekend travelers in Florida
If you’re heading out of Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Keys for a weekend vacation in other Florida locations, you won’t beat the heat but you may beat the advisories. The Miami weather service issues a heat advisory when the heat index hits 105 degrees for a couple of hours. The previous trigger mark was a 108 degrees heat index.
What to know:
▪ Central Florida still uses the 108 trigger, and Orlando’s heat index is forecast to run 102 to 107, so no heat advisory is in effect. Widespread showers and storms — 80% Friday and 70% Saturday and Sunday in Orlando — could temporarily cool things down a bit.
▪ Marco Island has a heat advisory on Thursday from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m., with a maximum index between 105 to 109. Storms are also forecast into the weekend.
▪ The Tampa region also has a heat advisory on Thursday with regular temperature highs in the mid-90s and storms in the weekend forecast.
This story was originally published July 6, 2023 at 11:39 AM.
