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Florida heat hits records as heat dome pushes Miami to 100 degrees
At least 10 Florida cities set or tied high temperature records on Aug. 18, with Miami and Tallahassee both hitting 100°F. A persistent high-pressure system is driving the heat, and forecasters warn it may continue midweek.
At least 10 Florida cities set or tied high temperature records on Aug. 18, including two that reached the triple digits. Miami hit 100 degrees for only the second time in 131 years, while Tallahassee also reached 100 for a second consecutive day, as reported by the Gainesville Sun, Naples Daily News, and TCPalm.
The persistent high-pressure system over the Southeast is contributing to the abnormal heat, according to the outlets, sinking air that evaporates clouds and allows more sunshine, with no rain.
Miami's century mark
Miami's 100-degree reading at 3:45 p.m. came after a delay in the cooling afternoon sea breeze. National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Robert Garcia said meteorologists weren't overly surprised as temperatures ticked up from the upper 90s. "It's not unheard of to be that late," Garcia said. "It was just one of those things where it could go for the gold."
The first time Miami reached 100 was in 1942. If forecasts hold, there could be a third occurrence this week, with a 10% chance Wednesday that the Miami International Airport could reach 100 degrees. Garcia noted, "The current forecast is 97 or 98 but the chance is not zero that it could surpass that."
Tallahassee's streak
Tallahassee's 100-degree day on Aug. 18 tied a 1993 record for that date, according to NWS meteorologist Andy Haner, who said having a few 100-degree days in the summer is normal for the city. The previous day, Tallahassee's high broke a 1957 record of 97 degrees for Aug. 17. On July 29, the city hit 101 degrees, topping a 2015 record.
Other records and outlook
According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, other records broken or tied Aug. 18 include 98 degrees in Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville; 97 degrees in Melbourne and Gainesville; and 96 degrees in West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach.
Garcia quipped, "You'd think we've become Tucson or something," noting that Tucson, Arizona, reached 105 degrees on Aug. 18.
The high pressure is expected to push west, moving the heat dome into southwestern states, which may bring a return of rain. Forecasts for Aug. 19 call for low 90s in the Keys to upper 90s in the Panhandle, with weekend temperatures statewide in the low to mid 90s.
Garcia warned that "the heat can cause serious injury" and "we're not done with the heat this week."
How each outlet told it
Gainesville Sun
Framing: same as other sources – 'heat dome' and 'Miami to 100 degrees'. — Informative with cautionary undertone.
Facts Included:
At least 10 Florida cities set or tied high temperature records on Aug. 18.
Miami hit 100 degrees for only the second time in 131 years.
Tallahassee had 100 degrees for its second straight day.
10% chance of Miami hitting 100 on Wednesday.
Records: Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville 98, Melbourne and Gainesville 97, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach 96.
NWS meteorologist Robert Garcia on weather: 'You'd think we became Tucson someone.'
Sea breeze delay contributed; 100 at 3:45 p.m.
Tucson reached 105°F on Aug 18.
NWY on Tallahassee: 100-degree days normal, tied 1993, broke 1957 record.
Tallahassee's July 29 101 °F record June 2015.
High-pressure system creates sinking air, less clouds, no rain.
Aug 19 forecast: low 90s Keys to upper 90s Panhandle.
High pressure to push west; possible return of rain.
Weekend statewide low to mid 90s.
Garcia: serious injury warning and continuation heat.
Framing: Emphasizes record heat and the role of a 'heat dome' pushing Miami to triple digits; omits the exact number of cities and other record details. — Worried but factual: 'serious injury' and 'not done with the heat' pair with record stats.
Facts Included:
At least 10 Florida cities experienced record-breaking or tying high temperatures on August 18.
Miami reached 100 degrees for only the second time in 131 years, first time was in 1942.
Tallahassee hit 100 degrees for the second consecutive day.
10% chance Wednesday that Miami International Airport could reach 100 degrees.
Records tied/broken: 98°F in Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville; 97°F in Melbourne and Gainesville; 96°F in West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, and Vero Beach (from Southeast Regional Climate Center).
Robert Garcia, NWS Warning Coordination Meteorologist, quoted: comparing to Tucson and noting chance not zero.
The 100-degree reading in Miami occurred at 3:45 p.m. due to delay in sea breeze.
Tucson, Arizona reached 105°F on Aug. 18.
Andy Haner, NWS meteorologist, said a few 100-degree days in the summer is normal for Tallahassee; tied 1993 record.
Monday's high in Tallahassee broke 1957 record of 97°F for Aug. 17.
On July 29, Tallahassee hit 101°F, topping a 2015 record.
High-pressure system over Southeast U.S. is blamed for heat as sinking air evaporates clouds and allows more sunshine, no rain.
Forecasts for Aug. 19: low 90s in Keys, upper 90s Panhandle.
High pressure expected to push west; weekend temperatures forecast low to mid 90s.
Garcia caution: 'heat can cause serious injury' and 'we're not done with the heat this week.'
Framing: Same as Naples Daily News—the identical headline emphasizes 'records' and 'heat dome' pushing Miami to 100°. — Measured; uses record statistics and meteorologist quotes to emphasize unusual heat.
Facts Included:
At least 10 Florida cities set or tied high temperature records Aug. 18.
Miami reached 100°F for second time in 131 years; first was in 1942.
Tallahassee hit 100°F for second consecutive day.
10% chance Wednesday Miami airport reaches the 100° mark.
Other record highs: Fort Lauderdale (98), Jacksonville(98), Melbourne (97), Gainesville (97), West Palm Beach (96), Fort Pierce (96), Vero Beach (96).
Robert Garcia quote: 'You'd think we've become Tucson or something.'
Garcia noted no over-surprise; delay in sea breeze; 100 at 3:45 p.m.
Tucson reached 105°F on Aug 18.
NWS meteorologist Andy Haner says 3 additional 100-degree days in summer normal for Tallahassee; tie to same day in 1993.
Tallahassee's Monday high broke 1957 record of 97°F for Aug 17.
July 29 hit 101°F with 2015 record.
High pressure over Southeast pushes heat dome to southwest, may bring rain.
Forecasts for Aug 19: low 90s Keys to upper 90s Panhandle.
Weekend forecast: low to mid 90s.
Garcia quote: 'Heat can cause serious injury' and 'we're not done with the heat this week.'
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Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimAt least 10 Florida cities experienced record-breaking or tying high temperatures on August 18.
ClaimAccording to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, record high temperatures broken or tied on Aug. 18 include 98 degrees in Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville; 97 degrees in Melbourne and Gainesville; and 96 degrees in West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.
ClaimA persistent high-pressure system over the Southeast U.S. is partly to blame for the high temperatures because sinking air is warmer and evaporates clouds, allowing more sunshine and preventing rain.
ClaimThe high pressure is expected to slowly push west, moving the heat dome into the southwestern states, which could lead to a return of higher rain chances.
ClaimRobert Garcia said, "People say, 'Oh, it's just summertime in South Florida,' but the heat can cause serious injury. And we're not done with the heat this week."