The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Pasco and Hillsborough counties Tuesday, Aug. 11, warning that heat index values could reach 105 to 109 degrees between noon and 7 p.m.
The advisory, released at 2:32 a.m. Aug. 11, covers 15 counties across central and west Florida, including the entire Land O' Lakes and Lutz area. Actual air temperatures are forecast to reach the low- to mid-90s, but humidity will push the heat index into dangerous territory.
The NWS zone forecast for Inland Pasco shows heat index values up to 106 degrees locally, with only a 20% chance of afternoon showers offering little relief from direct sun.
Tampa Bay 28 meteorologist Greg Dee advised residents to finish any outdoor work well before noon or wait until after 8 p.m.
"Temperatures will reach the low and mid-90s, but the heat index will climb to 105-109F at times," Dee wrote in his Aug. 11 forecast. "Try to get all of your outdoor chores or workouts done well before the advisory kicks in, or maybe after 8 p.m. this evening."
The timing matters.
Pasco County Schools opens for the new school year Thursday, Aug. 13, meaning students at Land O' Lakes High, Sunlake High and other campuses will begin classes during the same heat pattern. Dee warned that rain chances drop to just 10% Wednesday and Thursday, likely bringing more heat advisories through midweek.
Who is most at risk
The NWS identifies young children, infants, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions as particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness. The agency warns it is never safe to leave a child, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even briefly, during periods of intense heat.
NWS safety guidance for the advisory period includes:
- Stay hydrated with plenty of fluids
- Find air-conditioned shelter during peak hours
- Avoid direct sun exposure between noon and 7 p.m.
- Check on vulnerable relatives and neighbors
- Reschedule strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening
- Call 911 in emergencies
Outdoor workers should take regular rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, per OSHA recommendations cited in the advisory.
What local agencies have said
As of the morning of Aug. 11, Pasco County Emergency Management, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and Hillsborough County Emergency Management had not issued supplemental heat guidance or announced cooling center locations for the Land O' Lakes or Lutz area.
Residents can check for updates through Pasco County Emergency Management at pascocountyfl.net or the NWS Tampa Bay office at weather.gov/tbw.
