South Florida is coming off one of the hottest days ever recorded in Miami, and while temperatures may ease back slightly on Wednesday, the heat isn’t going anywhere just yet.
Miami soared to 100 degrees Tuesday, tying the city’s all-time record high temperature originally set in 1942. The triple-digit reading also easily broke the previous daily record of 96 degrees.
Fort Lauderdale came close to joining Miami in the record books. The temperature reached 98 degrees, just two degrees shy of the city’s all-time record of 100. The 98-degree reading did tie the daily record high.
We aren’t done with record heat just yet. We’re forecasting a high of 97 degrees in Miami on Wednesday, which would break the daily record of 96 set all the way back in 1909.
Did you hear the news? Miami reached 100°F this afternoon for only the second time since 1895. This ties the all-time high temperature record last reached in 1942!🥵 pic.twitter.com/UxfTOQMZmR
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) August 18, 2026
Fort Lauderdale should be a little cooler, with a forecast high around 96 degrees. That would fall just short of the daily record of 98 set in 1921.
The slightly lower temperatures compared with Tuesday are expected because the Atlantic ocean breeze should develop and push inland a little earlier. In addition, a few storms could poop later on Wednesday. Both can help put the brakes on the afternoon temperature climb, but the timing will be critical.
If the ocean breeze is slower to arrive or thunderstorms hold off until later in the afternoon, temperatures will have more time to climb. In that scenario, another run into the upper 90s is certainly possible.
Even with temperatures potentially coming down a couple of degrees, it won’t feel like much relief. Another heat advisory is in effect across South Florida, with the combination of extreme temperatures and high humidity expected to produce feels-like temperatures as high as 112 degrees.
Did you hear the news? Miami reached 100°F this afternoon for only the second time since 1895. This ties the all-time high temperature record last reached in 1942!🥵 pic.twitter.com/UxfTOQMZmR
— NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) August 18, 2026
Anyone spending significant time outside should continue to take the heat seriously. Stay hydrated, take frequent breaks in air conditioning or shade and try to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon.
The pattern should gradually become a little more typical for August as we head through the rest of the week. Increasing moisture will bring a better chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms, while a more established ocean breeze should help keep temperatures from reaching the extraordinary levels we saw Tuesday.
Still, hot and humid conditions will continue through the rest of the week, and afternoon temperatures will remain above normal in many locations.