Florida flips from watching tropics to trying to stay cool. More heat advisories issued

From rain to heat, Florida’s weather continues to swing from one extreme to the next.

After most of this week was spent keeping an umbrella handy as residents watched Invest 93L move across the state into the Gulf, most of Florida will spend Friday, July 18, trying to find some place to stay cool.

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A heat advisory has been issued for the first time this summer in South Florida, according to the National Weather Service Miami. The heat index could get as high as 111, with the strongest heat expected along the southern Gulf Coast.

As the morning progressed, more heat advisories were issued. As of 9:30 a.m., Florida’s entire east coast, large portions of Central Florida and all of South Florida are under a heat advisory until this evening as the heat index climbs as high as 110.

And the National Weather Service warned portions of the state’s east coast and Central Florida face a major heat risk.

Here’s what to expect today.

Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida

What Florida counties are under a heat advisory today, July 18?

As of 9:30 a.m., counties under a heat advisory are:

Heat advisory issued for South Florida. Heat index could hit 111

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for South Florida from 11 a.m. July 18 until 6 p.m.

The heat index could reach between 105 and 111 across portions of southeast, south and southwest Florida and could reach even higher is some isolated locations, the National Weather Service said.

The strongest heat is expected along the Gulf Coast.

What to expect today in South Florida:

• West Palm Beach: High 86. Heat index as high as 101.

• Miami: High 88. Heat index as high as 103.

• Naples: High 93. Heat index as high as 107.

• Immokalee: High 96. Heat index as high as 107.

Southwest Florida could see heat index as high as 107

Drier air is moving into the area, allowing temperatures to increase across Southwest Florida and the west coast. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid 90s over inland areas, with heat indices ranging between 100 and 107.

What to expect today in Southwest Florida:

• Fort Myers: High 95. Heat index as high as 103.

• Sarasota: High 91. Heat index as high as 102.

• Tampa: High 95. Heat index as high as 105.

Major heat risk, heat advisory issued for Central Florida, East Coast. Heat index up to 108

A major heat risk is forecast for portions of Central Florida today, July 18, according to the National Weather Service Melbourne. A heat advisory also has been issued for the entire east coast of Florida until 6 p.m. The heat index could get up to 108.

What to expect today in East, Central Florida:

• Daytona Beach: High 89. Heat index as high as 104.

• Melbourne: High 90. Heat index as high as 105.

• Vero Beach: High 90. Heat index as high as 102.

• Stuart: High 88. Heat index as high as 102.

• Orlando: High 95. Heat index as high as 105.

A major heat risk means there is a risk for heat-related illnesses for most residents, especially for those without access to air conditioning or who don’t stay hydrated.

The National Weather Service recommends:

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing

• Avoid outdoor activities during the warmest parts of the day

• Stay in air-conditioned location, especially during the day

Heat advisory issued for Jacksonville, Northeast Florida. Heat index up to 110

Another heat advisory was issued for Northeast Florida at 8:46 a.m. July 18.

Heat index ranges from 105 to 113 today across portions of inland northeast and north central Florida, the National Weather Service Jacksonville said. The heat advisory is in effect from noon to 6 p.m.

What about the rest of Florida? What’s the forecast for today?

Heat index and temperature map for US, Florida

What is the heat index?

The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, according to the National Weather Service.

At its most basic: the heat index is what the temperature feels like when you’re outside.

The chart above shows the combination of air temperature with humidity. It’s important to note the chart uses the air temperature in the shade. In direct sun, the air temperature can be up to 15 degrees higher.

In Florida, except for Miami-Dade County, the National Weather Services offices around the state would issue a heat advisory if the heat index is expected to reach 108 to 112 degrees. The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for an advisory for its population, which was set at 105 degrees.

NWS issues several types of heat-related warnings

National Weather Service changed its heat watch and warning terms in March 2025. Here’s what you should know:

• Excessive heat watches were renamed to extreme heat watches.

  • Issued when dangerous heat is possible and residents are encouraged to be prepared.

• Excessive heat warnings were renamed to extreme heat warnings.

  • Issued when dangerous heat is happening or about to happen.

➤ See when heat watches and warnings could be issued in your area

What is a heat advisory?

A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria, according to the National Weather Service.

“Residents are advised to consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening.”

When a heat advisory is issued also depends on where you are in Florida.

For most of the state, a heat advisory is issued if the heat index is expected to be between 108 to 112 degrees.

Here is the breakdown by each NWS region. A heat advisory is issued when the heat index is expected to be:

• Western Panhandle: 108-112 degrees

• Central Panhandle, North Florida: 108 to 112 within the next 6 to 24 hours or air temperature is forecast to reach 103 degrees

• Northeast Florida: 108-112 degrees

• East Central Florida: 108 to 112 degrees

• In South Florida: 108 degrees in South Florida or 105 degrees for Miami/Dade and Broward counties

• Southwest, West Central Florida: 108-112 or the air temp is greater or equal to 103 degrees

The National Weather Service Miami said Miami/Dade County wanted a lower threshold for a heat advisory for its population.

Florida weather radar for Friday, July 18

Signs, symptoms of heat stroke

Heat stroke is the most serious of heat-related illnesses, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Signs and symptoms include:

• Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech

• Loss of consciousness (coma)

• Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating

• Very high body temperature

• Heat stroke is fatal if treatment is delayed

What to do:

• Move the person to a shaded, cool area and remove outer clothing

• Cool the person quickly, using the following methods:

  • With a cold water or ice bath, if possible

  • Place cold wet cloths on the skin

    • Place cold wet cloths or ice on the head, neck, armpits, and groin

  • Soak clothing with cool water

• Circulate the air around the person to speed cooling

Signs, symptoms of heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through excessive sweating, the CDC said. Signs and symptoms include:

• Elevated body temperature

What to do:

• Take the person to a clinic or emergency room for medical evaluation and treatment

• Call 911 if medical care is unavailable

• Have someone stay with the person until help arrives

• Remove the person from the hot area

• Remove unnecessary clothing, including shoes and socks

• Cool the person with cold compresses or have the them wash their head, face, and neck with cold water

• Encourage frequent sips of cool water

How to stay safe. What do meteorologists recommend when it’s hot outside?

➤ What’s the best temperature to set your air conditioner thermostat?

• Stay in an air-conditioned room

• Check on relatives and neighbors.

• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

• Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.

• To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

• Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.

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This story has been updated to include new information.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida heat advisories issued as temps climb, heat index up to 113