Record Heat Batters “Don’t Say Climate Change” Florida

May 18, 2024 Climate Change, Weather

USA Today reports:

A wave of sweltering temperatures continues to swamp South Florida with heat index, or “feels like” temperatures, expected to reach 109 degrees in West Palm Beach today and continue with triple digits into Sunday.

The National Weather Service in Miami issued a heat advisory for its entire coverage area today, which includes Palm Beach, Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Miami-Dade counties, with the potential that it will be extended through the end of the weekend.

An excessive heat warning is issued when the heat index temperatures are predicted to reach 113 degrees or higher for at least two hours.

The Washington Post reports:

The record heat comes after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) on Wednesday signed a bill scrubbing most references to climate change from state law. Critics say the measure, which will take effect July 1, ignores the threats Florida faces from extreme heat as well as powerful hurricanes and worsening toxic algae blooms.

Although South Florida is accustomed to warm, humid weather much of the year, this brutal combination of heat and humidity has little precedent in May.

The National Weather Service’s HeatRisk index continues to call for major to extreme heat-related impacts in South Florida. Human-caused climate change is helping to intensify this heat. Climate Central’s Climate Shift Index indicates that it is making the ongoing extreme heat three to four times more likely.

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