# Heat wave persists; Bertha impacts Gulf Coast > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gulf-coast-heat-wave-and-thunderstorms > Updated: 2026-08-14T16:00:57.000Z. Sources: 202. Developments: 24. The Southeast heat dome continues to dominate South Florida, with heat-index values frequently exceeding 105°F. This prolonged period of extreme heat has prompted alerts for over 100 million Americans. In Florida, the heat has been compounded by Saharan dust plumes, which have created hazy skies and degraded air quality, while also suppressing tropical development. Recent weather extremes in Florida include a magnitude-6.1 earthquake in Cuba felt on the Gulf Coast and a brief tornado in North Fort Myers. Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic season, made its first U.S. landfall on July 22 in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, with sustained winds near 45 mph. A second landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on July 24 delivered heavy rain and localized flooding. The system weakened to a tropical depression near Galveston, while its remnants brought heavy rain to Veracruz, Mexico. Offshore, BP, Chevron, and other operators suspended production on Gulf platforms. As of mid-August, extreme heat warnings and advisories span multiple U.S. regions. In the Desert Southwest, temperatures are expected to reach between 108 and 114 degrees. The Heartland faces feels-like temperatures of up to 115 degrees, while Middle Tennessee may see heat indices of 112 degrees. In Georgia, Metro Atlanta is facing an extended Heat Advisory with index values between 105 and 110 degrees. In Southern California, rising temperatures and low humidity are increasing wildfire risks. In South Florida, a heat dome over the deep South is expected to drive the hottest stretch of the summer, with record temperatures possible in Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Gainesville. Saharan dust is expected to keep skies hazy through early week, though the Atlantic remains quiet with no tropical development expected for at least the next week. ## Claims - An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for portions of southwest Arizona and southeast California from Monday to Friday. (corroborated by 2 sources) - An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for portions of Middle Tennessee until 7 PM CDT Sunday. (single source) - Heat index values in Middle Tennessee could reach up to 112 degrees. (single source) - An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for the western Big Bend and eastern Panhandle of Florida. (single source) - Heat index values in the Heartland could reach up to 115 degrees. (single source) - A warming and drying trend in the Southland is expected to increase wildfire danger. (single source) - Monroe County has opened temporary cooling stations to assist residents during extreme heat. (single source) - Temperatures in the Imperial Valley and Yuma County are expected to reach approximately 110 degrees. (single source) - Heat index values in Clarksville-Montgomery County could reach as high as 109. (single source) - A Heat Advisory is in effect for much of north and central Georgia. (single source) - A Heat Advisory remains in effect for metro Atlanta through Monday evening. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-14: South Florida faces extreme heat as heat dome settles over region South Florida faces extreme heat this week as a heat dome brings temperatures into the mid to upper 90s, with record heat possible in Miami and hazy skies caused by Saharan dust. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-florida-faces-extreme-heat-as-heat-dome-settles-over-region ### 2026-08-14: Extreme heat grips much of the US with high heat index values Extreme heat is sweeping across much of the US, with heat index values reaching up to 115 degrees in the Heartland and dangerous conditions reported in Tennessee, Georgia, and the Desert Southwest. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-faces-extreme-heat-and-dangerous-heat-indices ### 2026-07-31: South Florida Heat and Thunderstorm Forecast for Early August South Florida faces a week of extreme heat (up to 93 °F) and frequent thunderstorms, with 60‑80 % rain chances and rising flood risk as Saharan dust fades and tropical moisture increases. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-florida-heat-and-thunderstorm-forecast-for-early-august ### 2026-07-26: South Florida faces mid‑90s heat and daily storms in week ahead South Florida endures a week of mid‑90s heat, daily thunderstorms and flood risks, while drier air and Saharan dust lower rain chances later in the week. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-florida-faces-mid90s-heat-and-daily-storms-in-week-ahead ### 2026-07-24: Tropical Storm Bertha Brings Heavy Rain and Strong Winds to Texas, Louisiana and Veracruz Tropical Storm Bertha hit the Texas‑Louisiana border with heavy rain, strong winds and flooding, later weakening near Galveston while Veracruz saw thunderstorms but no direct danger. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-storm-bertha-brings-heavy-rain-and-strong-winds-to-texas-louisiana-and-veracruz ### 2026-07-22: Tropical Storm Bertha strikes Gulf Coast, bringing rain, wind and coastal flooding Tropical Storm Bertha made landfall in Louisiana and again near the Texas‑Louisiana border, bringing rain, wind, surge and flooding across the Gulf Coast and prompting alerts in northeast Mexico. 83 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-storm-bertha-forces-beach-closures-and-sandbag-distribution-on-us-gulf-coast ### 2026-07-21: Tropical Storm Threat Targets Gulf Coast States of Florida, Louisiana and Texas A tropical depression off Florida may become a storm, bringing heavy rain, 40 mph winds and up to 4 ft surge to Florida, Louisiana and Texas, prompting flood and surge warnings. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-storm-threat-targets-gulf-coast-states-of-florida-louisiana-and-texas ### 2026-07-20: Tropical Storm Bertha threatens Gulf Coast with heavy rain and flooding Tropical Storm Bertha, with 60‑85 mph winds, is moving slowly up the Gulf Coast, prompting storm‑surge and flood watches from Florida to Louisiana and up to 8 inches of rain. 89 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-storm-bertha-threatens-gulf-coast-cruise-operations-and-coastal-communities ### 2026-07-19: Tropical Depression Six E Stays Offshore as Gulf Depression Two May Become Storm Bertha Depression Six E remains offshore with no impact on Mexico, while Gulf Depression Two is forecast to become Storm Bertha, bringing heavy rain and possible flooding to the U.S. Gulf Coast. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tropical-depression-six-e-stays-offshore-as-gulf-depression-two-may-become-storm-bertha ### 2026-07-18: Miami endures record heat streak as temperatures stay above 90°F Miami's heat wave hits 38 days above 90°F, nearing a record, with heat index over 105 and forecasts of continued hot, dry conditions; Invest 91L may become a tropical depression. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/miami-endures-record-heat-streak-as-temperatures-stay-above-90f ### 2026-07-18: Northern Gulf weather system raises chance of tropical development The National Hurricane Center raised the chance of a Gulf disturbance developing into a tropical depression to 60%, warning of heavy rain and flooding for the northern Gulf Coast while heat advisories persist, 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/northern-gulf-weather-system-raises-chance-of-tropical-development ### 2026-07-18: Tropical Depression Two poised to become Storm Bertha, Gulf Coast under watches Tropical Depression Two, likely to become Storm Bertha, has an 80% development chance; watches are issued for the Florida Panhandle and the northern Gulf Coast, with rain, surge and flash‑flood risks expected. 26 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gulf-disturbance-triggers-heavy-rain-and-flood-risks-for-florida ### 2026-07-12: Florida Heat Wave and Storm Threat Prompt Safety Alerts Extreme heat (up to 105 °F heat index) and a storm threat with gusty winds and Saharan dust are affecting South Florida and Orlando, prompting safety warnings for residents and Disney World visitors. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-heat-wave-and-storm-threat-prompt-safety-alerts ### 2026-07-11: Texas and Gulf Coast face heightened flash‑flood risk from multi‑day heavy rain Heavy rain across Texas, Gulf Coast and Louisiana raises flash‑flood risk, with up to 8 inches expected and street flooding warnings in Houston and Baton Rouge. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gulf-coast-storm-system-brings-heavy-rain-to-alabama-and-louisiana ### 2026-07-10: Saharan Dust Drives Extreme Heat Across Florida Gulf Coast Saharan dust crossing the Atlantic is blanketing the Florida Gulf Coast, driving temperatures up to 110 °F, lowering air quality and suppressing storms, with a heat advisory in effect. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saharan-dust-drives-extreme-heat-across-florida-gulf-coast ### 2026-07-07: Florida Faces Hazy Skies and Poor Air Quality as Saharan Dust Plume Arrives Saharan dust has crossed the Atlantic into South Florida, causing hazy skies, higher temperatures, reduced thunderstorms and health‑related air‑quality warnings, with the plume expected to linger into next week 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-faces-hazy-skies-and-poor-air-quality-as-saharan-dust-plume-arrives ### 2026-07-05: South Florida heat wave drives temperatures and heat index above 100°F Miami‑Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties warn of a heat wave with temperatures and heat index above 100 °F, urging hydration and care for vulnerable residents. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-florida-heat-wave-drives-temperatures-and-heat-index-above-100f ### 2026-07-05: Florida's Summer Cool Spots Highlight Heat Concerns Florida offers cooler summer spots like Jupiter Island and Blue Spring, while a local commentary warns heat waves will become the norm without climate action. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/floridas-summer-cool-spots-highlight-heat-concerns ### 2026-06-30: Florida Heat Safety and Climate Impact Highlights Florida health officials urge hydration, shade and indoor cooling as heat risks rise; recent quake tremors and a tornado underscore climate‑linked extreme weather. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/florida-health-guidance-issues-heatsafety-tips-as-temperatures-rise ### 2026-06-23: Heat wave and Saharan dust haze strain South Florida and Louisiana Heat advisories cover Miami‑Dade and parts of Louisiana as temperatures hit 90 °F with heat indexes up to 110 °F; Saharan dust and brush‑fire smoke worsen air quality in South Florida. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heat-wave-and-saharan-dust-haze-strain-south-florida-and-louisiana ### 2026-06-14: Gulf Coast heat wave raises flood risk in Alabama and South Florida Alabama Gulf Coast and South Florida face a heat wave, with triple‑digit feels‑like temperatures, heightened flood risk in Alabama and possible thunderstorms in Florida. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gulf-coast-heat-wave-raises-flood-risk-in-alabama-and-south-florida ### 2026-06-07: Warm, humid week brings rain and storms across Alabama and Indiana Alabama and Indiana will see a warm, humid week with scattered rain, storms and flood risks, temperatures in the low‑mid 80s and heat indexes approaching 100°F. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warm-humid-week-brings-rain-and-storms-across-alabama-and-indiana ### 2026-06-03: Southeastern US Braces for Hot, Humid Weather and Heavy Rain Alabama expects hot, humid conditions with showers, while South Florida faces a cooler front, heavy rain and flood risk. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southeastern-us-braces-for-hot-humid-weather-and-heavy-rain ### 2026-05-31: Gulf Coast Heat Wave Spurs Storms in Alabama and South Florida A hot, humid stretch across the Gulf Coast brings 90‑degree highs and scattered storms in Alabama and South Florida, with a cooling front expected later in the week. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gulf-coast-heat-wave-spurs-storms-in-alabama-and-south-florida --- Cite as: Heat wave persists; Bertha impacts Gulf Coast. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gulf-coast-heat-wave-and-thunderstorms