Excessive Heat in the United States
The latest heat wave in the United States has caused temperatures to skyrocket — and, in some cases, to reach never-before-seen heights.
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Palm Springs has reached a whopping all-time high of 124 degrees Fahrenheit. Las Vegas, Nevada has also hit a new high this week. For five days in a row, Las Vegas has had 115-degree temperatures or higher.
Florida’s Hot Summer
Meanwhile, over on the east coast of the country, Florida isn’t faring much better. The Sunshine State has various heat advisories that officials have sent out across the state, though particularly in South Florida.
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Feel like temperatures — which combine the actual temperature with the region’s humidity — are expected to reach up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit in many areas of Florida this week.
Heading to the Beach
Many Floridians who live on the coast have the opportunity to cool off during these excessively hot days at the beach.
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The ocean has always been a haven during these hot days. However, now officials are warning that Floridians may not be able to swim in the ocean waters in the future, as the water temperatures are becoming much too hot.
2023’s Record-Breaking Year
Last year, ocean water temperatures hit record-breaking levels around Florida’s coast. The water just off of the Florida Keys hit 101.1 degrees — which was among the hottest ocean waters in the world at the time.
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While this year hasn’t seen sea waters in the Florida region hit 100 degrees yet, officials warn it may happen sometime in the next few weeks.
July May Bring Warmer Water
Last year, water in South Florida didn’t hit 100 degrees until about mid-July. Therefore, we may begin to see ocean waters warm up considerably in the next few weeks.
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So far, Florida’s highest water temperatures are in Apalachicola, which is located in Florida’s Panhandle, and Long Sound near the Florida Keys. Water temperatures hit 90.9 degrees in both of these regions on July 9 this year.
Warmer Water in Florida
Apalachicola isn’t alone in seeing 90-degree water, however. Many other regions in Florida have also seen escalating water temperatures, even if none of them have hit 100 degrees — yet.
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On July 9, Fort Myers’ water was 90.7 degrees. Clearwater Beach was right behind Fort Myers, with 89.9 degrees. Meanwhile, Jacksonville University hit 89.6 degrees, and Key West saw 89.4-degree waters.
When Warm Water Is Too Hot to Swim In
Unfortunately, health officials have explained that ocean waters may soon become too hot for people to swim comfortably in.
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In general, any water over 90 degrees can begin to bring health issues to people swimming, as they can begin to overheat or quickly face exhaustion.
What Happens When You Swim in Warm Water
If you swim in very warm water, you can quickly begin to face health risks. These warm ocean waters will quickly increase your overall body temperature, which then raises your sweat rate. However, it also makes you dehydrated very quickly.
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As a result, you may face incredibly severe fatigue and muscle spasms. Therefore, health officials often warn people to be wary when swimming in any water that is above 90 degrees.
When Warm Water Is Unsafe
However, experts have also clarified the water temperature that people should not swim in, no matter what: 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
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If ocean waters hit this temperature, it is incredibly unsafe for humans to swim in. This hot water can quickly cause a human body’s temperature to rise to the point where they may suffer a stroke. Even healthy adults can die from swimming in this temperature water.
Will Ocean Waters in Florida Become Unsafe?
So far, the water around Florida is teetering. Soon, it may very well become unsafe for people to swim in the ocean and spend their days at the local beaches.
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Already, some waters have hit 90 degrees — which many experts state can cause health issues, even if it isn’t as bad as swimming in 100-degree water, which is not recommended.
Other Worries About Warm Water
Analysts aren’t just worried about the warm water in Florida because of how it may become unsafe for locals. They’re greatly worried about how warm ocean waters in the region are getting, as warmer water means the possibility of a stronger and more active hurricane season.
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Officials have already explained that this year we may see a very busy hurricane season. While Florida hasn’t faced one yet, they may very well by the end of this year, thanks to the ocean’s warm waters.