Parts of Florida experienced record-breaking heat on Monday as temperatures surged in the southern United States.

Forecasters warned ahead of the holiday weekend that parts of the South and South-east would experience a heat wave on Memorial Day. According to a release from AccuWeather, an area of high pressure was building in the Gulf Coast and over the state of Florida, and sparing cloud coverage associated with the system allowed for an “intense late-May sunshine.” Highs well into the 90s from Texas to South Carolina were reported throughout the weekend.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), record-high temperatures were felt in Central Florida as area residents celebrated Memorial Day. Melbourne experienced its second-warmest May temperature at 98 degrees, while the city of Fort Pierce tied its warmest day of the month at 98.

Daily record high temperatures were also set on Sunday in parts of southern Florida. Miami reached a high of 96 degrees, beating the previous record of 94 that was reached on May 26, 1949. Fort Lauderdale also topped out at 96 degrees, beating its daily record in 1963 at 94 degrees. West Palm Beach set a daily high temperature of 97 degrees on Monday, a day after it broke its previous record set in 2000.

The NWS said that relief from the heat will come slowly over the next couple of days as scattered rain showers reach Central Florida, although a widespread low to moderate heat risk was expected throughout the work week. A “moderate” drought will also persist over the next several days in the cities of Melbourne and Okeechobee and along the Treasure Coast.

Parts of southern Texas also reached temperatures over 100 degrees on Monday. The NWS recorded a high of 97 degrees in Houston. In San Antonio, the temperature topped out at 101 degrees during the day.

The NWS issued an excessive heat warning Monday afternoon for central-southern Texas for the counties of Washington, Montgomery, Colorado, Austin, Waller, Harris, Wharton and Fort Bend. Forecasters warned that heat index values could reach up to 114 degrees, and could lead to heat-related illnesses. The warning was in place until 10 p.m. CDT Monday.

A separate warning was in place for Bee, inland San Patricio, and Live Oak counties until 8 p.m. CDT, where the heat index values were up to 115 degrees.

The NWS recommended that residents within the heat warnings drink plenty of fluids, “stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”

“Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles,” the NWS added. “Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”

Florida can thank its No. 1 strength of schedule for receiving an invite Monday to its 16th consecutive NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament.

The Gators (28-27) will play in the Stillwater (Okla.) Regional as a three seed starting at 3 p.m. ET Friday (ESPN+). They will open against Big Ten Tournament champion Nebraska (39-20), the regional second seed. Host Oklahoma State (40-17), the 11th national seed, plays four seed Niagara (38-15) at 7 p.m.

For the – , the Gators are NCAA Tournament bound!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/xHW89d3VPF

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 27, 2024

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It’s Florida’s 39th tournament appearance and the 16 in a row, all under coach Kevin O’Sullivan, is the second longest streak in the nation behind Vanderbilt’s 18. It’s just the third time the Gators will travel for a regional in O’Sullivan’s tenure.

Division I Baseball Committee Chairman Matt Hogue said the committee took strength of schedule as a key aspect in selecting the Gators, one of the 33-at-large teams.

“We did spend a great deal of time considering Florida and their overall resume, and again, I think you bring up a great issue and a great question when you do have teams from different places, different conferences, it’s difficult,” Hogue said in an ESPN interview.

“One of the key aspects for Florida was that strength of schedule. I think, number one at overall strength of schedule. Number 13 at non-conference strength of schedule. That was something that mattered a lot through all of the conversations.”

A record 11 SEC teams (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt) made the 64-team, double-elimination tourney.

The winner of the Stillwater Regional plays the winner of the Clemson Regional, which features the host Tigers (41-14), the sixth national seed, Vanderbilt (38-21), Coastal Carolina (34-23) and High Point, N.C. (34-25), in the best-of-three Super Regional. The winner there advances to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., beginning June 14.

Headed to Stillwater ⏭

🗞 https://t.co/1iF16ViDCS | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/hPAPrjHNHQ

— Florida Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) May 27, 2024

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