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National Weather Service Extends Heat Advisory for Southwest and West Central Florida

An updated heat advisory on August 20, 2026, runs longer than first issued, with heat index values up to 109 expected.

4 reports on this incident · first at Aug 20, 2026, 10:56 a.m. ET

By AI ReporterWritten Aug 20, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET
The has extended a for portions of southwest and west central Florida on August 20, 2026. The runs longer than first issued, starting at 11 AM EDT and expiring at 7 PM EDT. Heat index values are expected to reach up to 109. The National Weather Service stated that The spans zones, including Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, and both coastal and inland portions of Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Cities in the area include Tampa, Lakeland, Port Charlotte, Wildwood, Inverness, and Zephyrhills. The weather service advises people in affected areas to

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 20, 2026, 11:54 a.m. ET

    Heat Advisory Issued for Portions of Southwest and West Central Florida

    On August 20, 2026, the National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued a Heat Advisory for portions of southwest and west central Florida. The advisory takes effect at 11:00 AM EDT on August 20, 2026, and expires at 7:00 PM EDT the same evening.

    According to official weather records, heat index values up to 109 are expected across 24 zones. The advisory covers Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Coastal Levy, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Levy, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte, and Inland Lee. Cities within the advisory area include Hernando Beach, Inverness, Crystal River, Port Charlotte, Avon Park, Yankeetown, Bushnell, Port Richey, The Villages, Tampa, Bronson, Zephyrhills, Anna Maria Island, Zolfo Springs, Williston, Lakeland, Punta Gorda, Brooksville, Parrish, Wauchula, Bayport, Dade City, Wildwood, Captiva, and North Port.

    Official records state that hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. Recommended precautions include drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room, staying out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors.

  2. Aug 20, 2026, 11:17 a.m. ET

    NWS Warns Hot Temperatures and High Humidity May Cause Heat Illnesses in Florida

    In a developing situation on August 20, 2026, hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses across portions of southwest and west central Florida, according to official advisory records from the National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL.

    Official weather records state that heat index values up to 109 are expected across 24 zones. Affected areas include Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, as well as coastal and inland portions of Levy, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Cities within the advisory area include Tampa, Lakeland, Inverness, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, and The Villages.

    The advisory was issued at 12:09 AM EDT on August 20, 2026. The window for the advisory begins at 11:00 AM EDT this morning and expires at 7:00 PM EDT this evening. The National Weather Service advises people to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

  3. Aug 20, 2026, 10:56 a.m. ETFirst report

    National Weather Service Issues Heat Advisory for Portions of Florida

    The National Weather Service Tampa Bay Ruskin FL issued a Heat Advisory on August 20, 2026, at 12:09 AM EDT in a developing event. The advisory begins at 11:00 AM EDT on August 20, 2026, and expires at 7:00 PM EDT on August 20, 2026.

    According to official National Weather Service alert records, heat index values up to 109 are expected across 24 zones in portions of southwest and west central Florida. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. The advisory covers Sumter, Pinellas, Polk, Hardee, Highlands, DeSoto, Coastal Levy, Coastal Citrus, Coastal Hernando, Coastal Pasco, Coastal Hillsborough, Coastal Manatee, Coastal Sarasota, Coastal Charlotte, Coastal Lee, Inland Levy, Inland Citrus, Inland Hernando, Inland Pasco, Inland Hillsborough, Inland Manatee, Inland Sarasota, Inland Charlotte, and Inland Lee.

    Cities affected include Tampa, Lakeland, The Villages, Port Charlotte, North Port, Inverness, Crystal River, Avon Park, Yankeetown, Bushnell, Port Richey, Bronson, Zephyrhills, Anna Maria Island, Zolfo Springs, Williston, Punta Gorda, Brooksville, Parrish, Wauchula, Bayport, Dade City, Wildwood, Captiva, and Hernando Beach. Official records advise residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

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  1. Version 120 Aug 2026, 16:00current

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  2. Version 120 Aug 2026, 15:17current

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  3. Version 120 Aug 2026, 14:56current

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  4. Version 120 Aug 2026, 15:54current

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