Heat Warning Alerts Revised for Florida

A new heat advisory standard has been developed by the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices for all 67 counties in Florida.

• The heat index must reach 108 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within the next 24 hours for a heat advisory.
• An excessive heat warning is issued for forecast or observed heat index of 113 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within the next 24 hours.

The heat warnings serve to inform the public of temperatures so high that peple are at risk of injury from exposure.

The study integrated research in the Southeast on heat related injuries to further refine the criteria. Interpretation of these prior studies was aided by the Florida Department of Health.

Learn more about how to prepare and prevent heat related injuries by visiting
the following sites:

http://www.noaawatch.gov/themes/heat.php
http://www.floridadisaster.org/emtools/severe/heatwave.htm