MIAMI — South Florida residents faced extreme heat throughout August 2026, including a historic afternoon when Miami reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit for only the second time since weather records began more than 130 years ago.
The temperature at Miami International Airport climbed to 100 degrees Aug. 18, tying the city’s all-time record set July 21, 1942. The reading also broke Miami’s previous record for that date, which was 96 degrees in 2022, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures of 100 degrees are rare. The Atlantic Ocean normally creates a sea breeze that keeps the city from reaching temperatures recorded inland. During the heat wave, however, winds from the west prevented that cooling breeze from developing.
For residents, the extreme weather made activities more difficult.
“The second I walked outside, the heat felt overwhelming,” Miami resident Sofia Olarte said. Heat index values rose well above 100 degrees.
“Practicing outside was harder because we became tired much faster,” said atudent Camila Arrancibia.
Officials advised residents to drink water, limit strenuous activity during the hottest hours, and stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
The heat did not immediately disappear when the sun went down. Warm nighttime temperatures gave residents fewer opportunities to recover from the daytime heat.
“Even after sunset, it still felt unusually hot and humid,” student Camila Martinez said.
The local record came during an exceptionally hot month worldwide. The Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that August 2026 was the warmest August ever measured globally. Its average global surface temperature was 16.96 degrees Celsius, or 62.53 degrees Fahrenheit. August tied July 2023 as the hottest month in recorded history.
Scientists said the extraordinary warmth was caused by human-driven climate change combined with a strengthening El Niño weather pattern. El Niño warms parts of the tropical Pacific Ocean and can temporarily raise global temperatures. However, greenhouse gases released by burning coal, oil and natural gas remain the main cause of long-term warming.
Extreme heat can increase health risks, raise electricity use, and strain power systems. Children, older adults, outdoor workers, and people without reliable air conditioning are especially vulnerable.
Experts warn that unusually hot days are becoming more frequent as the climate warms. They say communities must expand shade, cooling centers, and heat-warning programs while governments reduce greenhouse gas emissions. August’s record gave Miami a clear warning that extreme heat is becoming a growing part of daily life now.
