NewsWUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)August 11, 2026Hillsborough
Meteorologist warns of heat risks for Florida students during back-to-school season
Meteorologist Leslie Hudson identifies five hidden heat dangers for children as Florida temperatures remain in the 90s with heat indices reaching up to 110 degrees. The report advises parents and teachers to monitor children for heat-related illness and emphasizes safety precautions like hydration and avoiding leaving children in parked vehicles.
Read the full story at WUSF (NPR Tampa Bay)Why It Matters
High temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in Florida during the start of the school year increase the risk of heat-related illness for students walking to school, waiting at bus stops, or playing outdoors.
Key Facts
- Feels-like temperatures in South Florida are expected to reach 109 degrees during the first week of school.
- Northwest Florida is forecasted to have afternoon highs in the 90s with heat indices between 105 and 110 degrees.
- High heat and humidity in Florida are expected to persist well into the fall season.
- Children are identified as being more susceptible to heat-related illness than adults.
- Recommended safety measures include drinking water before feeling thirsty and taking frequent cooling breaks.
- Parents are warned to never leave a child unattended in a parked vehicle, even for a few minutes.