Fort Pierce and Vero Beach were among at least 10 Florida cities set or tied high temperature records Aug. 18 including two that sent the mercury soaring into the triple digits.

Tallahassee and Miami both made it to 100 degrees. For Tallahassee, it was the second consecutive day of 100.

For Miami, it was only the second time in 131 years that the Magic City would see triple digits on the outdoor thermometer. The first time was in 1942.

West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce and Vero Beach all hit 96 degrees, which is the highest recorded temperature for Aug. 18.

Here’s what we know about the record high heats across Florida.

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Which Florida cities hit record high temperatures yesterday?

According to the Southeast Regional Climate Center, other high temperature records broken or tied Aug. 18 include:

Tallahassee and Miami at 100 degrees

Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville at 98 degrees

Melbourne and Gainesville at 97 degrees

West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach at 96 degrees

Why are temperatures so high in Florida?

A nagging area of high pressure over the Southeast U.S. is partly to blame for the high temperatures as sinking air is warmer and tends to evaporate any clouds that try to form, allowing for more sunshine to reach the surface. Also, no clouds means no rain.

Temperatures for Aug. 19 were forecast to be in the low 90s in the Florida Keys into the upper 90s through the Panhandle.

Miami hit 100 degrees on Aug. 18, 2026, which is only the second time in records dating to 1895. The first time was July 21, 1942.

The sun rises at Pepper Beach Park as people try their luck on the second day of Florida’s spiny lobster mini season in St. Lucie County. Florida’s mini season was July 29-30, giving divers a two-day head start on the regular commercial and recreational season that begins on Aug. 6. The bag limit was 12 lobsters per person.

Haner said the high pressure is expected to slowly push west, moving the heat dome that has menaced Florida into the southwestern states. That could mean a return of higher rain chances to cool off spicy afternoons.

Still, temperatures through the weekend are still forecast statewide to be in the low to mid 90s.

“People say, ‘Oh, it’s just summertime in South Florida,’ but the heat can cause serious injury,” said Garcia. “And we’re not done with the heat this week.”

How often does it reach 100 degrees in Florida?

Andy Haner, a meteorologist with the NWS in Miami, said having a few 100-degree days in the summer is normal for Tallahassee International Airport. The one recorded Aug. 18, tied a 100-degree reading on the same day in 1993.

Monday’s triple digit high broke a 1957 record for Aug. 17 of 97 degrees.

On July 29, Tallahassee hit 101 degrees, topping a 2015 record for that day of 100.

“I would say getting three 100-degree days during summer is pretty on target,” said Haner, noting that for Tallahassee the worst heat may be in the rearview mirror. “For an individual day 100 is above normal but for the summer as a whole, not as much.”

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida cities shatter heat records as temperatures soar

Reporting by Kimberly Miller and Hana Khalyleh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Treasure Coast Newspapers

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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