Temperatures in Miami, Florida, reached 100°F (38°C) on Tuesday, August 18, matching a record set in 1942, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported.
As the Miami Herald adds, the figure also became a daily temperature record in Miami. Previously, the highest temperature for that day was 96 °F (35.5 °C), which was recorded in 2022.
Meteorologists previously issued an extreme heat warning for the city and forecast peak temperatures of 105 – 112 °F (40 – 44 °C) on Wednesday. The NWS recommends reducing time outdoors, especially during the middle of the day. Forecasters warn people need to cool down regularly, wear light-colored clothing and turn on air conditioning as conventional fans may not be powerful enough to maintain an optimal temperature for people.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay indoors with air conditioning, avoid exposure to the sun and monitor the health of relatives and neighbors. Take extra precautions when outdoors. Wear light and loose clothing. Take action if you experience symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke,” the NWS said.
The last time a temperature of 100°F (38°C) was recorded in Miami was July 21, 1942, with records dating back to 1895. The average high temperature for mid-August in the city is typically around 91°F (32°C), Newsweek notes.
According to meteorologists, Miami is usually not so hot due to the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, which acts as a “natural regulator.” Sea breezes help keep temperatures down, and the city also experiences frequent rainfall, bringing cool temperatures.
As Newsweek adds, extreme heat in several areas of the United States this year, according to meteorologists, is associated with the El Niño phenomenon. The 0.9°F (0.5°C) above normal Pacific temperature in the equatorial region is changing continental weather conditions and storm tracks. The latest was Hurricane Lala, which killed a person in Hawaii last week.
This natural phenomenon also causes a heat dome, a large area of high pressure within which dry and warm conditions can form for a long period of time. It was he who covered dozens of US states in July, leading to extreme heat, forest fires and other natural disasters.
