Heat wave and Saharan dust haze strain South Florida and Louisiana

Mid‑June heat is pushing temperatures into the low‑90s across South Florida and upper Louisiana, with heat‑index values expected to reach 105‑110 °F. A heat advisory remains in effect for areas around Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, and another advisory covers all of Miami‑Dade County through Wednesday afternoon.

In South Florida, a plume of Saharan dust has created a milky haze that, combined with lingering smoke from week‑long brush fires west of Miami, has degraded air quality. An Air Quality Alert has been extended for the entire county. Light winds are keeping pollutants near their source, and additional dust may arrive later in the week.

Forecasters note that scattered thunderstorms could develop along a weakening frontal boundary north of the core heat zone, but the dominant weather pattern will remain hot and humid through the week.