logo
Hot, dry weather to boost wildfire risk in Florida

Hot, dry weather to boost wildfire risk in Florida

Yahoo22-04-2025
Surging temperatures and ongoing dryness across much of Florida will raise the risk of wildfires this week, AccuWeather meteorologists advise.
April is often a great month to enjoy comfortable temperatures, moderate humidity and little risk of thunderstorm activity. This week, however, while humidity levels will be rather low and thunderstorms are likely to be scarce, temperatures will climb above the historical average--generally 4 to 8 degrees Fahrenheit above the average.
Widespread highs in the mid-80s to the low 90s are in store this week. While most locations are not likely to set daily record highs, some may come within a few degrees.
When combined with intense late April sunshine, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures can approach the mid-90s to 100 degrees for a time in the afternoon. That can pose some health risks to those not used to the heat coming out of the winter season. Even seasoned Florida residents are encouraged to stay hydrated.Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+
Much of the Florida Peninsula has been experiencing below-historical-average rainfall at a time of the year when rainfall is typically low to begin with. Of the approximate 2.50 inches of rain Orlando typically receives this month, less than 0.40 of an inch of rain has fallen. The dryness extends well through the start of the year in Orlando and many other locations.
Conditions range from abnormally dry to extreme drought over the Florida Peninsula, according to the United States Drought Monitor.
The combination of intense sunshine, dry brush, dry air, heat and dry, sandy soil will boost the risk of wildfire ignition this week.
People are advised to use caution with outdoor power equipment, open flames or anything that produces sparks.
As long as precautions are taken regarding heat exhaustion and outdoor fire safety, this week should be ideal for heading to the beach, golf course or theme parks.
As May progresses, the likelihood of thunderstorms typically increases as humidity levels climb.
Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Heat dome continues to raise temps across South and Midwest, will begin to move into Northeast
Heat dome continues to raise temps across South and Midwest, will begin to move into Northeast

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Heat dome continues to raise temps across South and Midwest, will begin to move into Northeast

The 'heat dome' that has hovered over tens of millions of people in the South and Midwest this week is now spreading into parts of the Northeast on Thursday, according to the Weather Channel. A heat dome is a high-pressure bubble in the upper levels of the atmosphere that traps hot air and sun radiation underneath it. The Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit focused on climate change advocacy and education, compares heat domes to putting a lid on a hot pot; the lid keeps the hot air from leaving the pot and keeps the contents of the pot hot for a longer time. While late July usually is the hottest time of the year for most of the U.S., AccuWeather reports these temperatures will be 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the historical average. An 'Extreme Heat Watch' advisory alert, which warns 'dangerous heat is possible,' was issued for West Virginia on Thursday. An 'Extreme Heat Warning' alert, which warns 'dangerous heat is happening or about to happen,' was sent to areas in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York on Wednesday. Some of these extreme heat warnings were sent to major cities like Boston, Detroit, New York City and Washington, D.C., where temperatures will reach the mid-90s by Friday, the Weather Channel reported. However, temperatures in these areas are expected to drop over the weekend. Parts of the Midwest and the South will still be in temperatures near or above 100 degrees through the rest of the weekend, and potentially into the middle of next week. Florida, which has been experiencing hot and muggy conditions across the state all week, will continue to experience high temperatures in the upper 80s to lower 90s on Thursday and Friday, according to Florida Disaster, a division of the state's Department of Emergency Management. The state's heat index values will be particularly high on the western side of the Florida Panhandle, compared to the rest of the state. (The National Weather Service (NWS) 'heat index' is a calculator that estimates what outdoor temperatures feel like to the human body.) Experts cannot determine exactly when the heat dome will end. Heat domes take a long time to break down, Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist at the NWS's Weather Prediction Center, told Scientific American, so the extreme heat is expected to last through the rest of the week for some areas. 'Corn sweat' drives up humidity in the Midwest As heat index values in the Midwest peaked this week because of the heat dome, high humidity levels have contributed to 'corn sweat' in these areas. Corn sweat is a colloquial nickname for evapotranspiration, which is when plants, like corn stalks, release water vapor into the air and essentially turn it into additional humidity that can drive up humidity levels and heat index numbers in the area, according to the Weather Channel. Today's weather term is "corn sweat".Yes, it's a real thing, and it's likely to become more noticeable into next you know that 1 acre of corn gives off about 3,000-4,000 gallons of water each day?Here's a little more about the transpiration process. — NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) July 20, 2023 This mostly affects people in the Midwest, with residents in Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Kentucky experiencing heat index numbers in triple-digits because of the corn sweat, the Washington Post reported. The corn sweat has also impacted these areas' dew points, which correlate to how much moisture is in the air, NWS explains. The higher the dew point, the more muggy and wet the air will feel. A dew point minimum of 75 equates to an extreme humidity level and feels 'oppressive, like a tropical rainforest,' according to the Washington Post. In areas affected by the corn sweat, such as southern Missouri, the dew point is at 88. Northeast, Midwest also warned about severe thunderstorms AccuWeather meteorologists alerted on Wednesday that severe thunderstorms are expected to move across the Midwest before hitting the Northeast in the next few days. These storms carry the potential for high winds and hail, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The worst of the storms are expected to hit throughout Thursday afternoon and evening, mostly impacting cities like Chicago, Detroit, Oklahoma City and Kansas City, before shifting into the Northeast on Friday. While it's rare to see precipitation happen within a heat dome, severe thunderstorms are likely to form around its edges, often called the 'ring of fire.' "In the world of meteorology, the ring of fire deals with thunderstorms along the northern edges of strong upper-levels high,' AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said. 'Oftentimes, this setup produces severe thunderstorms along the northern edges of the heat.' How to stay safe in extreme heat Extreme heat is the deadliest type of weather in the U.S., even more so than tornadoes, flooding or hurricanes, according to research by the NWS. Prolonged extreme heat, as is expected in the heat dome this week, is especially dangerous for people who do not have access to air-conditioning or who spend a lot of time outdoors. If you live in a place that will be impacted by the heat dome, here's what to do to help protect yourself: Stay indoors and cool for as long as you can. Here is a list of public places you can go to for free air conditioning. Stay hydrated. It's helpful to add electrolytes to your water to further protect yourself from dehydration. If you need to go outside, protect your skin by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, sun-protective clothing and UV-blocking sunglasses. Understand and look out for symptoms of heat-related illness. These include heavy sweating, fatigue, dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea and headaches. If you are experiencing these symptoms, move to a cool area to rest and hydrate.

Triple-Digit Heat Index Triggers Advisories in Nine States
Triple-Digit Heat Index Triggers Advisories in Nine States

Newsweek

time3 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Triple-Digit Heat Index Triggers Advisories in Nine States

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Sweltering and "dangerous" heat with indices surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit across parts of nine states has prompted the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue warnings for millions of Americans. Newsweek has reached out to NWS for comment via email on Thursday. Why It Matters Extreme heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the United States, posing serious health risks nationwide. The National Center for Health Statistics found that between 2004 and 2018, an average of 702 people died in the U.S. due to "excess heat." In addition, NWS warns that "heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events." Since 1979, more than 14,000 Americans have died from heat-related causes, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Older adults, young children and people with chronic illnesses face the greatest risk from extreme heat. Prolonged heat waves can also strain local power grids as demand for air conditioning spikes. Extreme weather across the U.S. come amid the Trump administration's proposed cuts of nearly 25 percent to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and staffing reductions at NWS. New Yorkers cross 41st Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan during a heatwave on June 25, 2025, in New York City. New Yorkers cross 41st Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan during a heatwave on June 25, 2025, in New York City. CraigWhat To Know The NWS has issued a slew of extreme heat warnings and heat advisories across much of the South and Midwest, as well as New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The weather agency warns that "dangerously hot conditions" are expected across portions of the states with some heat index values exceeding over 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Mississippi. Heat index values reflect how hot it feels when both temperature and humidity are factored in. Portions of Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania are all under extreme heat warnings and heat advisories. Extreme heat has persistently baked the South and Midwest over the past few weeks, as well as flash flooding. Extreme heat warnings in the region advised people to "not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles," noting that "car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes." Warnings also note that "heat stroke is an emergency" and encourage those who are feeling "overcome by heat" to be moved to a shaded, cool location and call 911. The NWS encourages people to "drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors." In an update on Wednesday, the NWS noted that while the heat isn't necessarily surprising, "when triple digits during the day barely drop to 80 overnight, it becomes extremely dangerous. Extreme and record heat is likely throughout the South through next week with extreme impacts possible for those without adequate cooling or hydration." Heat advisories are in place across dozens of states on Thursday, with NWS in San Antonio, Texas, stating in a Thursday X post: "Today will be the hottest day for many locations in over a month." What People Are Saying Ben Noll, a meteorologist at The Washington Post wrote in a Thursday X post: "Extreme humidity and heat aren't going away — yet. Another surge of corn-effect humidity from Saturday to Wednesday could be even more intense than this past week." In another post he added: "It's not just central states that will feel extreme humidity and heat. The East will too — on Friday in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, before it settles into the Southeast, where there's an extreme risk (Level 4 out of 4) for heat-related impacts into next week." Representative Gabe Amo, a Rhode Island Democrat, said in an X post: "Trump is gutting @NOAA and @NWS while climate change is causing catastrophic extreme weather. @RepHuffman and I introduced my Stop NOAA Closures Act so the President can't close labs predicting storms & leave Americans vulnerable to disasters." What Happens Next The NWS Little Rock, Arkansas forecast warns that "Dangerous heat index values will persist through next week and perhaps longer as high pressure prevails over the mid south."

See how the heat dome puts a lid on excessive temperatures in the Central and Southern US
See how the heat dome puts a lid on excessive temperatures in the Central and Southern US

USA Today

time6 hours ago

  • USA Today

See how the heat dome puts a lid on excessive temperatures in the Central and Southern US

The summer heat just got turned up a notch - and trapped under a lid. Around 100 million people will be living with 100 degree days according to AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures. The cause? A massive, late-July heat dome that will move back and forth across much of the United States through the end of the month. The National Weather Service said the remainder of the week features a "strengthening heat dome over the Mississippi Valley today that gradually builds east towards the East Coast by week's end." A combination of mid-upper 90s temperatures and humid conditions are a recipe for "oppressive heat indices that range between 110-115 degrees for many areas along and east of the Mississippi River", the service added in a July 23 report. Where the excessive heat is going According to AccuWeather, temperatures will rise to 100 degrees almost every day for the next week or two in many locations. Prior to this week, several of these locations had not yet surpassed 100 degrees this year. "The bottom line is that this has the look of a long-lasting heat wave with limited rainfall," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill said in a recent press release. "Kansas City, Missouri, has not hit 100 degrees since Aug. 25, 2023, but is positioned to do so on multiple days during the upcoming heat dome." Unable to view our graphics? Click here to see them. What causes a heat dome? A heat dome occurs when a persistent region of high pressure traps heat over an area, according to William Gallus, professor of in meteorology with the Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, Iowa State University. "The heat dome can stretch over several states and linger for days to weeks, leaving the people, crops and animals below to suffer through stagnant, hot air that can feel like an oven," Gallus said in an article in The Conversation. Tips on keeping cool What else can you do? CONTRIBUTING John Bacon and Shawn Sullivan/USA TODAY SOURCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal Emergency Management Agency, AccuWeather and

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store