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Miami hits 100°F, tying 1942 record during heat dome

8/20/2026

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Summary

Miami Hits 100°F

Miami hit 100 °F on August 19 2026, tying the all-time high set on July 21 1942.
Officials kept a heat advisory in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday, noting a heat index of 107 °F and urging residents to stay indoors.
Climate Central reported Miami now experiences 44 more above-normal summer days than in the 1970s and faces 80 dangerous heat days linked to climate change.

Summary

Heat Dome Traps

A high-pressure heat dome over the Southeast is trapping warm, humid air and blocking rain, NWS says.
Robert Garcia said the dome’s sinking air evaporates clouds, causing Miami’s 100 °F spike at 3:45 p.m.
Forecasts show the ridge will drift west this week, moving the dome toward the Southwest and raising thunderstorm chances in Florida.
The NWS heat-risk outlook rates the Southeast at Level 3 or Level 4 for the week.

History

Historical Context

Miami’s 100 °F spike on 19 August 2026, blamed by the National Weather Service and mayor Robert Garcia on a high-pressure dome, mirrors past U.S. heat crises. The Dust Bowl era of the 1930s brought repeated extreme heat, and the 1936 North American heat wave killed over 5,000 people. Climate Central warns Miami will face about 80 dangerous heat days annually, urging federal adaptation funds and stricter building codes.

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Miami Hits 100°F

Miami hit 100 °F on August 19 2026, tying the all-time high set on July 21 1942.
Officials kept a heat advisory in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday, noting a heat index of 107 °F and urging residents to stay indoors.
Climate Central reported Miami now experiences 44 more above-normal summer days than in the 1970s and faces 80 dangerous heat days linked to climate change.

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