Florida sweats to hottest temperatures of summer so far with heat index reaching over 110 in spots
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 1-6 p.m.
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 also aids to suppress sea breeze development, which is a natural source of afternoon and evening cooling, especially in coastal areas.
New To Florida? Here's When The Sunshine State's Rainy Season Gets Underway
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.
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.
Nearly 300 Queen Conchs Found After Illegal Harvest In Florida Keys
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.Original article source: Florida sweats to hottest temperatures of summer so far with heat index reaching over 110 in spots
Solve the daily Crossword
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Storm tracker: Tropical depression could soon form in the Gulf, bring heavy rain
The National Hurricane Center said on Tuesday, July 15, it is continuing to track a trough of low pressure located off the Atlantic coast of Florida that is "gradually becoming better defined." The system, now designated as Invest 93L, is forecast to move west across the Florida Peninsula Tuesday, then reach the northeastern Gulf by the middle part of this week, hurricane forecasters said. The NHC said environmental conditions appear generally favorable for additional development and that a tropical depression could form by the middle to latter part of this week as the system moves across the northeastern and north-central Gulf. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of Florida through mid-week," the hurricane center said, adding that portions of the north-central Gulf Coast could also see flash flooding during the middle to latter portions of this week. The system currently has a 40% chance for tropical development over the next seven days and a 40% chance over the next 48 hours. Tropical storm chances increase: Chances increase for a tropical storm system off the Florida coast Atlantic storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Spaghetti models for Invest 93L Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Storm tracker: Tropical depression could develop in the Gulf Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Storm tracker: Heavy rain could produce flash flooding along Gulf Coast
A slow-developing, broad area of low pressure located over the far northern portion of the Gulf is threatening to bring heavy rain and flooding to portions of the area over the next few days, forecasters said July 17. The system, designated as Invest 93L, could see some additional development over the next 12-24 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center, however its current structure suggests its chances of developing into a tropical depression before it reaches the Louisiana coast later Thursday are decreasing. "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of the north-central Gulf Coast through Friday," hurricane center forecasters said in an advisory early Thursday morning. The National Weather Service office that services the Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida areas is cautioning residents against heavy rainfall Thursday and especially Friday. Forecasters said most areas across northwest Florida, coastal Alabama and southeast Mississippi will see around 2 to 4 inches of rain, while areas further inland could see 1 to 2 inches. The NWS said the greatest concern for any flash flooding is along the Interstate 10 corridor. Weather in New Orleans: Area could see a foot of rain as storm swirls in Gulf Meanwhile, the NWS office in Tallahassee is strongly encouraging residents and visitors to stay out of the surf where red flags are flying, as the area could see surf heights of 2 to 4 feet and life-threatening rip currents. Invest 93L currently has a 30% chance for tropical development over the next seven days and a 30% chance over the next 48 hours. The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Dexter. Atlantic storm tracker This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time. Spaghetti models for Invest 93L Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. How do hurricanes form? Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 miles per hour. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Invest 93L tracker, spaghetti models: System could impact Gulf Coast
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
National Hurricane Center tracking Invest 93L, 3 tropical waves. What's next for Florida?
Invest 93L was moving inland over southeastern Louisiana, according to the 2 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Little development is expected while the center remains near the coast this afternoon and tonight, and the systemis expected to weaken as it moves farther inland on Friday. ➤ Track all active storms ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Torrential downpours that could trigger dangerous flooding is the main threat for the north-central Gulf Coast as Invest 93L targets Louisiana, according to AccuWeather, which is calling the system of low pressure a "tropical rainstorm." The next named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season will be Dexter. Historically, the fourth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season arrives Aug. 15. The last two named storms of the season — Barry and Chantal — developed earlier than normal. Here's the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center as of 2 p.m. July 17: Invest 93L moving inland over southeastern Louisiana. See path, impacts Satellite, surface, and radar data indicate that the broad low pressure area is moving inland over southeastern Louisiana, and that the associated shower and thunderstorm activity remains disorganized and located mainly to the west and southwest of the center. Little development is expected while the center remains near the coast this afternoon and tonight, and the systemis expected to weaken as it moves farther inland on of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of the north-central Gulf Coast through Friday. Formation chance through 48 hours: low, 10 percent. Formation chance through 7 days: low, 10 percent. Spaghetti models for Invest 93L Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. Where will Invest 93L go next? Tornadoes, up to 16 inches of rain possible "Regardless of development, heavy rainfall could produce localized flash flooding over portions of the north-central Gulf Coast through Friday," the National Hurricane Center said. "Weak steering breezes will guide the rainstorm westward over southern Louisiana on Thursday (July 17), according to AccuWeather. "At that point, steering breezes may drop off, which could allow the rainstorm to stall and produce downpours over the same area. "It is also possible that more of a northward or westward drift may continue. The former would allow some heavy rain to spread into more of the Mississippi Delta and lower valley region. The latter could allow downpours to spread westward and possibly reach close to Houston. "It is possible that a couple of tornadoes and waterspouts develop near the central Gulf coast as the storm moves inland on Thursday," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva. "A sizable zone where 4-8 inches of rain is forecast to fall extends across much of the southern half of Louisiana and part of southern Mississippi. Within this zone, pockets where 8-12 inches of rain can fall are anticipated with an AccuWeather Local StormMax rainfall of 16 inches." What is an invest? Short for investigation, the National Hurricane Center uses the term invest for areas of low pressure it is monitoring for potential development into a tropical depression or storm. Invests are not tropical depressions or tropical storms. They're usually clusters of showers and thunderstorms, and just because they've been designated as an invest does not guarantee they'll strengthen into a tropical storm or hurricane. Invests run from 90 to 99, followed by a letter: L for the Atlantic basin and E for those in the eastern Pacific. After 99, it starts over again and the next invest would be 90. Once something has been designated as an invest, specialized data sets and computer models can begin, including scheduling Hurricane Hunter aircraft missions and running spaghetti models. Florida weather radar for July 17, 2025 National Weather Service Florida forecast for July 17. Impacts from Invest 93L Pensacola, western Panhandle: Expect some impacts from Invest 93L across the area in the form of heavy rainfall and high surf. Tallahassee, central Panhandle: Localized pockets of heavy rain are possible in the area today. Rip currents are a significant threat along the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend beaches today. Jacksonville, North/Northeast Florida: Warming trend expected into the weekend, with highs in the upper 90s to near 100 inland. Daytona Beach to Stuart, East/Central Florida: Scattered to numerous showers and storms, with highest chances across the interior as warm and humid conditions continue. West Palm Beach to Naples, South/Southwest Florida: One more afternoon of scattered to numerous storms across South Florida. Fort Myers to Sarasota, West/Southwest Florida: Expect a final day of elevated heavy rainfall potential across mainly coastal counties today, with potential flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas this afternoon and evening. ➤ How to set up emergency cellphone notifications for flash flood warnings and safety tips ➤ Excessive rainfall forecast What else is happening in the tropics? The National Hurricane Center is tracking three tropical waves. Tropical wave 1: A far eastern Atlantic tropical wave is along 27W, from 09N to 22N, moving westward at 11 to 17 mph. Tropical wave 2: An eastern Caribbean tropical wave is along 66W-67W, south of 20N, moving westward at 23 mph. Tropical wave 3: A western Caribbean tropical wave is along 79W-80W, south of 20N, moving westward at 23 mph. AccuWeather said there's also a potential for tropical development off the central coast of the U.S. July 22-25. 2025 hurricane season so far An average Atlantic hurricane season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. Here's when this year's named storms have developed, compared to historical averages: Tropical Storm Andrea: formed June 24. Average start date: June 20 Tropical Storm Barry: formed June 29. Average start date: July 17 Tropical Storm Chantal: formed July 5. Average start date: Aug. 3. Next up, Dexter: Average state date: Aug. 15, with the average first hurricane forming Aug. 11. Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida Hurricane names for 2025 season Here are the names for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, along with how to pronounce them: Andrea (June 24) Barry (June 29) Chantal (July 5) Dexter: DEHK-ster Erin: AIR-rin Fernand: fair-NAHN Gabrielle: ga-bree-ELL Humberto: oom-BAIR-toh Imelda: ee-MEHL-dah Jerry: JEHR-ee Karen: KAIR-ren Lorenzo: loh-REN-zoh Melissa: meh-LIH-suh Nestor: NES-tor Olga: OAL-guh Pablo: PAHB-lo Rebekah: reh-BEH-kuh Sebastien: se-BAS-tee-en Tanya: TAHN-yuh Van: van Wendy: WEN-dee When is the Atlantic hurricane season? The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories. When is the peak of hurricane season? National Hurricane Center map: See what forecasters watching now Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include: Why does NHC say 'tropical cyclone' on its maps instead of hurricane or tropical storm? Tropical cyclone is the generic term used by the National Weather Service, NOAA and the National Hurricane Center for any tropical system, even if it's in the tropical Atlantic basin. To be more precise, a tropical cyclone is a "rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and has closed, low-level circulation," NOAA sadi. Once maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, what it is called is determined by where it originated: : for storms in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. : for storms in the Northwest Pacific. : for storms in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This story has been updated to include new information. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Hurricane Center tracking Invest 93L. Florida impacts
