Heat Advisories cover almost the entire state of Florida Wednesday, with heat index values forecast to reach as high as 112 degrees in east central Florida and stay above 100 from the Panhandle-adjacent north down through the Keys’ mainland approach.
Four National Weather Service offices issued advisories covering dozens of counties, all citing the same danger: hot temperatures combined with high humidity that can quickly turn dangerous for anyone spending time outdoors.
East Central Florida: Heat Index Up to 112
The NWS Melbourne office has the advisory in effect from 10 AM to 8 PM, the longest window and highest heat index values of the day, with readings expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees.
The advisory covers Volusia, Lake, Orange, Seminole, Osceola and Okeechobee counties, along with inland and coastal Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin counties. Orlando, Sanford, Kissimmee, Titusville, Melbourne, Vero Beach, Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Daytona Beach are all included, along with the Southern Brevard Barrier Islands covering Melbourne Beach, Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach.
Northeast and North Florida, Southeast Georgia: Heat Index Up to 110
The NWS Jacksonville office has an advisory running from noon to 7 PM, with heat index values up to 110.
It stretches from Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine along the coast inland to Gainesville, Ocala, Lake City, Palatka and Palm Coast, plus a sliver of southeast Georgia around Echols County.
Southwest and West Central Florida: Heat Index Up to 108
The NWS Tampa Bay office has its advisory in effect from noon to 7 PM, with heat index values up to 108.
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Lakeland and Punta Gorda are among the cities covered, spanning Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties along with Sumter, Hardee, Highlands and DeSoto counties inland.
South Florida: Heat Index 105 to 110
The NWS Miami office covers all of South Florida from noon to 7 PM, with heat index values of 105 to 110.
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Hialeah, Boca Raton and the Everglades communities of Immokalee and Clewiston are all in the advisory, covering Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Collier counties, plus Glades, Hendry and the mainland portion of Monroe County.
How to Stay Safe
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned space when possible, and check on relatives and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to the heat. Never leave children or pets unattended in a vehicle under any circumstances.
Anyone working or spending extended time outside should reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks in shade or air conditioning — guidance the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends for outdoor workers.
Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded location immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency — call 911.
