It’s already the hottest May in Miami, ever — at least judging by the heat index, a “feels like” measure that combines temperature and humidity.
Last weekend’s record temps jacked up the average heat index into a record for May, according to Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science.
“The type of heat and humidity we had this weekend would’ve been exceptional even in another three months,” said McNoldy. “These temperatures in May are completely off the charts.”
McNoldy created an online chart that updates daily with the heat index and the reading already rival or top typical dead-of-summer marks.
Aside from crazy-2023, the heat index has ALREADY spent more time above the 108°F threshold (and tied for the most at 110°+) in #Miami than in *any other entire year*. And it's not even June yet. 🤯🥵
— Brian McNoldy (@BMcNoldy) May 20, 2024
[1/2] pic.twitter.com/GewtmPXXo0
READ MORE: When is it too hot to be outside? A new online tool will help you plan your week
Usually, the hottest time of the year is the first and second weeks of August but this weekend temperatures peaked at 112 degrees heat index — that’s a stunning six degrees hotter than any previous May heat index recorded.
Early-season heat events have some of the highest rates of heat illness and heat-related deaths because people are not prepared for it. Nearly 1,200 people die from heat every year, according to NOAA, and record-breaking heat waves fueled by climate change add to that threat.
Climate change makes things like these record highs more likely. But over the weekend McNoldy said there was also the “perfect combination” of ridge pressure (where air sinks and warms), fewer clouds and moist air coming in from the southwest.
Other records were broken over the weekend too. Sunday’s nighttime temperatures averaged to 89 degrees. That is a tie for the third-highest daily nighttime average temperature ever recorded in Miami, and that’s never happened as soon as May.
As of Monday, there had also been four new high daily average temperature records and record-high humidity levels in the past five days.
The National Weather Service is predicting that the record-breaking heat will ease in the coming week, thanks in part to the increasing relief of rain. But it also signals the potential for another scorching summer ahead. Summer 2023 was the hottest on record in Miami.
“What this looks like for June, July, August? Who knows,” McNoldy said. “But it’s not off to a promising start.”
This story was produced in partnership with the Florida Climate Reporting Network, a multi-newsroom initiative founded by the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Palm Beach Post, the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN Public Media and the Tampa Bay Times.
Copyright 2024 WLRN 91.3 FM
