Effects of Florida heat
highlights has compiled information and statistics on this summer’s increased temperatures and its impact on the state COMPILED BY ALYSSA DOPICO, CO-ONLINE EDITOR
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HIS PAST SUMMER THE global temperature has increased significantly, yet it is likely to be the coldest that the planet sees from now on, as per the ew ork Times. Due to Florida s subtropical location, the state has received some harsh temperatures. The Everglades has become more vulnerable to water loss and invasive species, and coral reefs surrounding the state have become bleached and killed by seawater that has reached temperatures comparable to a hot tub, as per the limate Adaptation xplorer. The sweltering conditions are not just limited to impacting the natural environments of increase in patients with heat-related Florida. The hazardous conditions have issues seen by the Miami Dade Fire left Florida cities with high temperatures; Rescue from 2022 to 2023. 145 thus, many Floridians, whether from health patients were reported in July 2023. conditions or overexposure to the heat, have Source: Sun Sentenial faced several challenges due to the intense h temperature.
74.6%
20%
increase in patients seeking care for heat-related illnesses during the summer of 2023. Source: WUSF News
TOP 5
cities in Florida impacted by the heat wave in 2023 in degrees Fahrenheit: Source: Extreme Weather Watch
102 degrees in Tallahassee 100 degress in Orlando 99 degrees in Daytona Beach 98 degrees in Miami 97 degrees in Tampa news
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In its 2023 report, Climate Central calculated the urban heat island index within Miami, Florida. Since many of its trees have been replaced with roads and buildings, Miami placed third for U.S. cities with the worst urban heat cities. Ocean temperatures have risen five degrees above normal since early July. As per the NOAA, the Florida Keys are at Alert Level 2, signifying that widespread bleaching and mortality are a likely outcome. The rise in temperature increases the rate of evaporation from land and water to the atmosphere; thus, the rate that plants release water into the air will rise, according to the Everglades Foundation.
115% increase in patients seeking care for heat-related illness at Florida urgent care locations in the summer of 2023. Source: WUSF News Percentage of heat-related deaths by age group 2018-2021 Source: USA Facts
20%
4.6%
38.9%
10.8%
25.7%
1-14 years of age 15 - 34 years of age 35 - 54 years of age 55 - 74 years of age 75 - 85+ years of age Florida’s average temperature per year from 2019-2023 in degrees Fahrenheit Source: Florida State University
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
82.8 83 81.9 83 84
Design by Divya Dave/highlights
