ORLANDO, Fla. – Floridians are sweating through the hottest stretch of the summer so far, with Heat Advisories blanketing much of the state and heat indices soaring as high as 115 degrees.
After a brief reprieve of cooler, rainy weather earlier this week due to Invest 93L, a tropical disturbance that crossed the peninsula, cities like Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa and Miami are now enduring intense sunshine and stifling humidity.
Air temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-90s across many communities, but the humidity will push the “feels-like” temperature even higher, creating extremely dangerous conditions for those outdoors between the hours of 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
(FOX Weather)
The heat is being driven by a ridge of high pressure parked over the Atlantic, producing a heat dome effect across much of Florida and the Southeast.
The synoptic setup is also aiding to suppress sea breeze development, which is a natural source of afternoon and evening cooling, especially in coastal areas.
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The highest heat indices are expected across interior Florida, particularly north of Interstate 4 between I-95 and I-75.
In this region, the combination of high temperatures and humidity could push heat index values into the 110–115-degree range through the weekend.
South of I-4, conditions will remain dangerously hot as well, but will be several degrees cooler, with heat indices in the 100 to 110 degrees range.
(FOX Weather)
A factor that is making the heat wave potentially deceptive is that actual air temperatures are largely expected to remain below record-breaking values – it will be all about the humidity and the heat index.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, a slight break from the extreme heat may arrive early next week in the form of increased rain chances and cloud cover.
As the remnants of Invest 93L interact with a potential new area of low pressure, increased precipitation chances may move in by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Expected rainfall
(FOX Weather)
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Climatologically, the final week of July and the first days of August mark the peak of Florida’s summer heat, so the warm weather is right on schedule in the Sunshine State.
People are advised to stay hydrated, wear light-colored clothing, limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours and seek air conditioning whenever possible.
Some communities in the state, including Jacksonville, even have staff cooling centers, which will be open as long as temperatures are in the danger zone.
Warm weather can lead to everything from heat exhaustion to heat stroke.
(National Weather Service Sacramento / FOX Weather)
