Excessive heat warning issued in Brevard as high temperatures bake Florida's East Coast
It's not your imagination: This really has been a summer for the record books.
In a first of its kind move for the area, the National Weather Service on Wednesday issued an excessive heat warning advisory for Brevard and all surrounding East Central Florida counties as record-high temperatures continue to impact the state.
That means residents - from teens practicing football to those hitting the beach - will need to plan any outdoor excursions while keeping in mind the need to protect children, pets and older residents safe from the heat.
“It’s been a hot summer, hotter than normal,” said Scott Kelly, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
Kelly pointed out that the heat index — the way the heat and humidity feel on the human skin — was expected to reach between 113 to 115 degrees for portions of Brevard, Indian River, Orange, Osceola and other counties along Florida’s eastern seaboard.
Monday, Brevard tied a 2011 record with 98 degrees. Wednesday, temperatures were expected to be within striking distance of the 98-degree record set back in 1980, Kelly said.
“We’ll get close to that," he said. "We’ll also get a sea breeze, and if the sea breeze pushes in a little bit earlier then we likely will not get to that threshold.”
For residents, the hot weather may prompt a number of ways of cooling off, from heading to air-conditioned movie theaters to waiting after sundown to look for thunderstorms and lightning flashing brilliantly in the distant night sky. And of course, there are iced treats, from ice cream to tropical concoctions.
The brutal heat has so far not caused an increase in heat-related illnesses sending residents seeking emergency medical help.
Florida summers sizzle: Where can guests chill at Walt Disney World parks?
"We haven't seen a rise at this point," said Lance Skelly, spokesperson for the four-hospital, Health First medical chain.
Christine Clancy, a Health First certified athletic trainer working with 60 students who've been attending football practices at Melbourne High School, said workers are paying close attention to detect any signs of heat stress.
Most recently, some of the football practices were moved to the mornings, she said. Tents are in place and workers pass out water to players, she added.
"We have a heat stress chart that we follow. We also have water breaks. It was so hot at one point that we did stop practicing," Clancy said of the practice training that took place before the start of the school year.
Why is it so hot in Florida?
Weather officials point to the weather patterns over the past two months.
July — overall one of the warmest on record — has been deemed hotter than usual with above-normal rainfall across Brevard and surrounding counties.
A predominantly western flow also beat back the daily sea breeze, which typically provides rainy, afternoon relief for residents. The sea temperatures have been warm, Kelly said.
The final ingredient of Brevard’s long, hot summer has been a high pressure ridge that has staved off natural cooling at nighttime, with some morning temperatures in the low 80s.
More: Rough weather diverts London-to-Orlando flight to Melbourne International
“We’ve been starting out warm these days,” Kelly said.
Rain chances are expected to increase this weekend.
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jdgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida weather: Brevard County hit with excessive heat warning
