Home Weather Summertime Heat Today; Tropics Heating Up

Summertime Heat Today; Tropics Heating Up

summertime heat
South Florida is feeling the summertime heat on Thursday as it gets busy in the tropics.  Here at home, Thursday features the effects of the influx of Saharan dust — plenty of sun, hazy skies, and a few storms, especially along the Gulf coast and the interior.  Highs on Thursday will be in the low 90s near the east coast and the mid 90s at points to the west.
Another warm day is expected Thursday across South Florida with some parts of the area expected to experience heat index values above 105 degrees later today! Make sure to stay hydrated and take cooling breaks if outdoors.
Friday will be mostly dry and hot again, with sunny and hazy skies.  Friday’s highs will be in the low to mid 90s.
Saturday will bring in a bit more moisture, so look for a few showers and storms, with greatest coverage in the interior and along the Gulf coast.  Saturday’s highs will be in the low 90s.
Sunday will feature sun, clouds, and a few afternoon showers and storms in spots.  Sunday’s highs will be in the low 90s.
Look for a typical summer weather pattern to return on Monday, with sun, clouds, and east coast showers to start, followed by afternoon showers and storms.  Highs on Monday will be in the low 90s.
The tropics are heating up — and that’s no surprise for mid-August.  We have Subtropical Storm Ernesto in the middle of the Atlantic.  At 5 am Thursday, Ernesto was located near 40.8 North, 44.1 West, and was moving north-northeast at 13 miles per hour.  Maximum sustained winds were 40 miles per hour.  Ernesto should lose its tropical characteristics on Friday and dissipate in a few days.  And we are watching a tropical wave about 750 miles from the Lesser Antilles.  It has a low chance of developing during the next few days and should encounter hostile conditions in the eastern Caribbean.
Donna Thomas has studied hurricanes for two decades. She holds a PhD in history when her experience with Hurricane Andrew ultimately led her to earn a degree in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University. Donna spent 15 years at WFOR-TV (CBS4 in Miami-Fort Lauderdale), where she worked as a weather producer with hurricane experts Bryan Norcross and David Bernard. She also produced hurricane specials and weather-related features and news coverage, as well as serving as pool TV producer at the National Hurricane Center during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Donna also served as a researcher on NOAA's Atlantic Hurricane Database Reanalysis Project. Donna specializes in Florida's hurricane history.