The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat advisory for South Florida on Monday, covering the counties of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, effective from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.
Afternoon high temperatures could exceed 90 °F, but the heat index—resulting from the combination of heat and humidity—could soar to between 105 and 112 °F (between 40.5 and 44.4 °C) throughout the region.
The meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez from CBS News Miami warned that the thermometer could approach or exceed the daily record of 95 °F in Miami: "The heat is going to be quite intense. It may break the record."
The episode takes place amidst a prolonged heatwave affecting South Florida since early August. Last Thursday, Miami broke a daily maximum temperature record that had stood since 1909, reaching 96 °F (35.5 °C), and the NWS has issued heat advisories almost continuously for Miami-Dade and Broward throughout the month.
To the already extreme conditions is added a mass of Saharan dust that exacerbates the heat in the region, keeping the atmosphere hazy and dry, and eliminating any possibility of evening rains that normally provide relief from the temperatures.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this layer of Saharan dust reaches its peak activity between late June and mid-August, and it can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, so individuals with asthma or other respiratory conditions should take extra precautions.
The NWS warned that the extreme heat index "can cause heat-related illnesses" and recommended: "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, avoid the sun, and check that family members and neighbors are protected."
The groups at highest risk under these conditions include adults over 65 years old, small children, people with chronic illnesses, outdoor workers and athletes, the homeless or those without access to air conditioning, pregnant women, and pets. Authorities in Miami-Dade remind that babies and other children, as well as animals, should never be left in parked vehicles, even with the windows slightly open.
Those showing symptoms of heat exhaustion—such as elevated body temperature, dizziness, nausea, or confusion—should seek medical attention immediately. Residents of Miami-Dade can sign up for the alert system by sending the message "Alert Miami" to the number 888777.
Extreme heat has historically been the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States, with estimates of more than 2,000 annual fatalities nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NOAA.
On Tuesday, the day that Florida holds its state primaries with polling hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a hotter day is expected, with a high forecasted at 96 °F and another warning of heat likely, adding an extra concern for voters who need to head to the polls.
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