Weather alert: Heat risk 'in the major category' for South Florida

Howard Cohen, Miami Herald on Jul 30, 2026

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MIAMI — A heat advisory was issued Thursday for the second straight day, with the National Weather Service in Miami warning that feels-like temperatures could soar as high as 110 degrees between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. with possible record highs in South Florida. .

“Heat risk will peak in the MAJOR category across most of coastal Southeast Florida,” weather service meteorologist George Rizzuto said in his early morning report.

Peak heat index hour: 1 p.m., with a forecast of 106.

The hottest regular air temperature July 30 on record for Miami is 95 set in 2015. For Fort Lauderdale it’s 96, last reached in 2015 and first hit in 1915, and for Key West it’s 94 set in 1933, according to the National Weather Service.

Miami could hit 96 on Thursday and break that record. Fort Lauderdale is expected to fall short at 95, as is Key West at a forecast high of 91, according to Miami Herald news partner CBS News Miami.

A heat advisory on Wednesday resumed the alerts after a week’s reprieve. The forecast threatened to break actual air temperature records for the day, too. But the records held as Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Keys skirted a couple degrees cooler — 94 in Miami rather than the predicted 96.

Brief, passing showers offered moments of grace and cloud cover.

And on Thursday? Don’t count on the relief.

There’s only a 12% chance of rain around 4 p.m. Otherwise, parched.

Gusty winds up to 20 mph may suggest a blessing, but they’ll be blowing hot air and no rain. Chalk that up to Saharan dust, reports CBS News Miami meteorologist Lissette Gonzalez.

Friday could bring a third straight heat advisory. The heat index, a combo of air temperature and humidity, is forecast at 105 between 1 and 4 p.m. according to the weather service’s hourly forecast page.

The streak may be broken over the weekend. Showers and storms — about a 40% chance — could keep South Florida just under the threshold for an advisory. Feels-like temperatures in Miami-Dade have to hit and hold 105 for at least two hours to trigger an alert.

Safety tips

Miami’s weather service considers Thursday’s alert a “major heat risk” health concern.

Quick tips from the NWS:

•Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty.

•Take frequent rest breaks in shade or air-conditioning.

•Watch for signs of heat illness, such as heavy sweating; nausea; headache; dizziness or weakness; cool, pale and clammy skin; altered mental state and loss of consciousness.