PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Some of the hottest air of the season so far will continue to plague South Florida, and there are no signs this dangerous heat will let up.
A strong ridge of high pressure in the mid to upper levels of the atmosphere is leading to hot sinking air. A few isolated thunderstorms could ride on the edge of the ridge, however, nothing will be significant to bring cooler temperatures this week.
Wednesday, we are forecasting a high of 95° with a record of 96° set back in 1995. When you factor in the hot temperature and the humidity, it could feel like 106° Wednesday afternoon.
Record afternoon heat will continue into the weekend. For Miami, Thursday we could tie the record high of 95° set back in 1995. Friday we could reach 94°, with the record currently sitting at 94° set back in 2008. Saturday will reach 95°. The record is 95° set back in 2008. 94° is the forecast high for Sunday, with the record at 94° set in 1995.
It has been very warm in the morning too. Fort Lauderdale has tied or set new morning warm lows since May 5. With a weak front expected to pass by Sunday, highs could regulate back into the lower 90s with lows in the mid to upper 70s.
While we have had to endure record heat, no heat advisories or excessive heat warnings have been set. According to the National Weather Service Forecast Office Miami – South Florida, a heat advisory will be set for Broward and Monroe counties when the heat index is forecast at 108° or higher for at least two hours.
An excessive heat warning will be triggered for a forecast heat index of 113° or higher for at least two hours.
As of 2023, the new experimental heat advisory for Miami-Dade County will be triggered at a heat index of 105° or higher for at least two hours and an excessive heat warning will be issued for a heat index of 110° or higher for at least two hours.
The heat index is a calculation of the apparent temperature. When we get hot, our bodies go through a cooling process by sweating. When we have a high relative humidity, that slows down the rate of cooling the body undergoes.
While South Florida is not under a heat advisory, it is still very important to take the necessary precautions to effectively cool. Limit your time outside from noon to 3 p.m. That is typically when the heat index values are the highest. Take plenty of water breaks, even if you are not thirsty. Also watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.