[REVISION HISTORY]

Heat wave persists; Bertha impacts Gulf Coast

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-16 10:34 UTC → 2026-08-17 18:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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 ~~storm surge of up to three feet and 2–6 inches of rain produced coastal flooding and dangerous rip currents from Louisiana through Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. A~~ second landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on July 24 delivered heavy ~~rain, gusty winds,~~ rain and localized ~~flooding, causing power outages and travel disruptions.~~ 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, potentially affecting about 1.5 million barrels of crude.~~ 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. Record~~ summer, with record temperatures ~~are~~ 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.

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