Tampa hits record 100 degrees
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Tampa temperatures hit triple digits Sunday for the first time in recorded history, the National Weather Service said.
Why it matters: Extreme heat will continue into Tuesday, with a heat advisory in effect from noon until 7pm for much of the Tampa Bay area. The "feels-like" temperature will hit 113 degrees.
- It's another example of extreme heat that's becoming more common due to human-caused climate change.
State of play: The 100-degree heat recorded Sunday at Tampa International Airport broke the previous record of 99, per NWS Tampa Bay.
- The agency started tracking temperatures at or near the airport more than 135 years ago, on April 1, 1890.
- The site continues "to be representative of the greater area, and great care is taken to ensure that the instruments remain well-calibrated, and data quality is sound," NWS Tampa Bay posted on X.
Zoom out: St. Petersburg (96 degrees), Ruskin (98) and Brooksville (99) also broke single-day heat records Sunday.
How it works: With Florida's hotter-than-Hades reputation, it's hard to believe Tampa doesn't regularly hit 100 degrees.
- But the sea breeze usually cools down the area before temperatures climb quite that high (even if high humidity levels make it feel that hot).
- On Sunday, the air was dry and a change in wind direction blocked the sea breeze, NWS Tampa Bay meteorologist Stephen Shiveley told the Tampa Bay Times.
Threat level: This level of heat can lead to illness or even death. Stay indoors in air-conditioning if possible, and check on your relatives and neighbors.
- If you have to go outside, stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade often, and wear breathable, loose-fitting clothing.