ORLANDO, Fla. – Central Florida is expecting another stretch of dry days ahead, while the summer sun keeps beating down on us. But unlike early August, where heat advisories and warnings were a daily occurrence, this week isn’t going to feel as hot. Why? Well, it all boils down to how much moisture is in our air.
The more moisture there is in the air, the harder it is for people to sweat and regulate their body temperatures. And as we know all too well during these Florida summer days, the heat and humidity are a package deal.
Earlier this August, a big area of high pressure kept highs well above average with limited cooling rain relief. During this time, Orlando saw 10 consecutive days where conditions were so abnormally hot that heat warnings and excessive heat warnings had to be issued. This meant that the heat index had a shot of surpassing 113 degrees.
And now as we turn the corner to late August, another high-pressure system will be keeping widespread rain chances out of the picture through most of the week. But this time, the heat won’t FEEL as hot thanks to the addition of dry air nearby.
Just off to our east over the western Atlantic, a large upper-level low is funneling in a swath of dry air over the Sunshine State. This feature is the number one reason why it doesn’t feel like the surface of the sun right now. The lack of moisture in the air keeps the relative humidity lower than normal, which makes the “feels like” temperatures closer to the actual air temperature.
Check out the graph below.
Earlier in the month, our relative humidity was topping out in the 70% range, making the days FEEL like 112+ degrees. But this week, drier air will keep the humidity closer to 50-55%, keeping the “feels like” temperature near 100 degrees.
Even with the “cooler” difference, you still need to respect the summer heat and humidity.
If you have to be outside for work, after-school activities, yardwork etc., make sure you are taking your breaks inside the air conditioning, drinking plenty of water and wearing clothing that helps your body stay cool.
Click here to read more tips on how to stay safe during these hot summer months.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: