South Florida started the week under an extreme heat advisory, with a heat index that could reach as high as 109°F (43°C). The National Weather Service issued the warning for the region from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, coinciding with the first day back at school for students in Broward County.
CBS News Miami meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez said the coming week would be hot and humid for children across South Florida, warning that the worst of the heat could hit right around school dismissal time.
Even before 6 a.m. on Monday, the heat index had already climbed to 97°F in Fort Lauderdale and 95°F in Miami. Actual air temperatures were expected to stay in the low 90s, but humidity was set to push the heat index much higher through the afternoon. Overnight temperatures were forecast to fall to around 82°F, though meteorologists said there was not enough rain expected to bring meaningful relief. Gonzalez said Tuesday would bring temperatures above 90°F again, with the heat index potentially reaching 108°F, and that conditions could prompt another heat advisory.
What a heat advisory means
The National Weather Service office in Miami issues a heat advisory when the heat index reaches 105°F for at least a couple of hours. Before 2023, the threshold used was 108°F. The heat index combines air temperature with humidity to measure how hot conditions actually feel, and once it reaches three-digit territory, the risk of heat-related illness rises. County estimates cited in the report attribute more than 30 deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations each year to high temperatures.
Who faces the highest risk
Officials named several groups at greater risk of heat-related illness: adults over 65 and young children, people with chronic illnesses, athletes and outdoor workers, people without adequate access to air conditioning, pregnant women, people experiencing homelessness, and pets.
Authorities advised staying in air-conditioned spaces, avoiding direct sun exposure, and cutting back on physical activity during the hottest hours, saving outdoor activity for early morning or later afternoon. They urged frequent hydration, including electrolyte drinks during heavy sweating, along with sunscreen and limiting alcohol and caffeine, which can worsen dehydration. Officials also warned against ever leaving babies, children, or pets inside a parked car, even with the windows partly open. Symptoms such as very high body temperature, headache, dizziness, nausea or confusion should prompt immediate medical attention, as they can signal heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
The week ahead
According to AccuWeather forecasts, heat and humidity will dominate through the week. Monday and Tuesday bring highs of 34°C with lows of 28°C and 27°C, both humid with partial sun; Tuesday may see morning showers before the heat index climbs to 42°C. Wednesday stays hot and humid at 34°C with isolated afternoon storms, while Thursday eases slightly to 33°C under cloudier, still-humid skies with a heat index near 42°C. Friday and Saturday bring highs of 34°C and 33°C with isolated storms and a heat index of 41 to 42°C. Sunday closes the week at 34°C, partly sunny with possible morning showers and a heat index near 42°C. The UV index is expected to remain extreme or very high for nearly the entire week.
